Three points and another clean sheet. A truly important win, says Petr

He was particularly essential to the rest of his team in the first half, when he averted Martial’s and Rooney’s scoring opportunities. “Both the saves were crucial. The score was 0-0 and had they scored, it would have given them a kick. I’m glad we were the ones to score in the end and gained three very important points,” stated Petr.

After the loss against Tottenham in the last round you really needed a push. Are you glad you made it?

There really was no other option. If we’d lost, the chance of reaching one of the Champions League qualification spots would drop down to a minimum. Now we can be satisfied. We won – and gave a pretty decent performance at that. That was the best possible answer to the wasted game with Tottenham.

You scored both goals after the interval.

The first one was a deflected shot from far out which ended up falling right underneath the crossbar. The goalie had no chance. You could tell that goal left them a little shaken. Within two minutes we seized the ball after some pressuring, sent it into the box to Welbeck, and saw our score increase once again. Just like the game with Tottenham, this one got decided within minutes – luckily this time round it was in our favour.

Four games are left till the end of the season. You can’t afford a lot more losses in your current situation.

Nothing’s changed for us. We need to try to win all we can and hope someone’s eventually going to hesitate. Otherwise there’s no chance. We’re playing Southampton on Wednesday already and are about to face Stoke on Saturday. It won’t be easy, since last year we lost to Southampton and drew with Stoke.

Can you feel the pressure rising?

You’re pretty much under constant pressure in top clubs. It’s all down to the individual and how they’re able to cope with it. We don’t have much time to think about it in any event. The games are lined up in a fast sequence and we have to prepare for each as best as we can. The Premier League is incredibly even and so no game has a predetermined outcome. Anybody can beat anybody.

Is fatigue catching up yet?

It’s the same for everyone, no point making excuses. You simply need to be able to stick it out in a club like this.