Row? What Row?

Joe Cole denies reports that he and Trevor Sinclair have had a row about who scored the winner over Everton on Wednesday night.

And he even agrees, tongue in cheek, with the theory that they should split the difference - and put it down to an Alan Stubbs own goal, joking:

"That's what I was thinking!"

At least one TV station and newspaper reported that the pair had had an argument about the matter, but Joe insists:

"I'm not really bothered who scores as long as we get the three points, and of course we did not have an argument; someone has taken it the wrong way.

"We didn't have a row, we had a laugh about it and we're not bothered who scored as long as we get the three points, that's all that matters.

"I struck it nicely so who knows if it was going in anyway; it took a deflection and Trevor says it was off him.

"I haven't seen any videos but it has gone in and that's all that matters.

"It was a scrappy game but, like I said, we came out on top and I thought we deserved it in the end."

The last two home games have been tight 1-0 wins, but Joe does not necessarily see all teams coming to Upton Park with primarily defending in mind, as seems to have been the case in those matches.

"I don't think Manchester United will!"

Joe also says he was not affected by the number of fouls inflicted upon him midweek, especially early on, and insists:

"That is football; you get tackles and you have to learn to deal with them.

"There was nothing too dangerous I don't think, just the normal everyday stuff, and they battled hard.

"I don't think I was overly kicked; you don't want to get up and start running away, that doesn't do anyone any good.

"You just keep your cool; most tackles are mistimed and there are not too many malicious players.

"We defend well as a team at home and a lot of my work this season has been defensive; it has been good, especially at home, but we have got to get our away form sorted out.

"If we do we will be okay, but I can't put my finger on it."

Steve Lomas said recently that Joe is becoming the complete midfielder now he is playing in the centre, as he has had to learn other aspects of the game rather than just attacking, and Joe agrees:

"Everyone likes attacking but defending is a big part of the game; it is where matches are won and lost.

"It is a learning curve for me; I am learning the different parts of the game and I am happy when we win.

"Now we have got the big game to look forward to in a couple of weeks."