On the bench: Van Persie unhappy with his current situation

He told Lig TV: “To be honest, I am not very happy at this moment.

“I was not happy that I started on the bench. I am fully fit, physically very well and able to play for 90 minutes.

“The only right answer I could give was with what I did: helping the team to get the victory.”

Pereira, however, maintains he has no regrets with his side three points clear at the top of the table with 13 points from their opening 15.

He said: “I would play more players if we were allowed to play 22 or 25 players.

“The players can like or not like what I do, but I must take decisions. I am happy with Van Persie’s performance after being brought on to the pitch.

“It would be bad if he wasn’t unhappy about being a substitute. This proves that he wants to play.”