With only one of the top three in
action today, Arsenal returned to the top of the Premiership, albeit on
alphabetical order only following a comfortable victory over Middlesbrough.
Problems get worse for Leeds and Wolves as the two struggling sides lose,
and in the game of the day Bolton win a seven goal thriller in the
Lancashire derby against their old rivals, Blackburn Rovers.
Arsenal 4-1 Middlesbrough
Arsenal went top of the table, for 24 hours at least, with an impressive 4-1
victory over Middlesbrough. The Gunners remain unbeaten in the Premiership
so far this season, and goals from Thierry Henry, Robert Pires, Fredrik
Ljungberg and an own goal from Franck Queudrue were more than enough to seal
another three points for United's main threat to the 2004 Premiership title.
Massimo Maccarone restored some
pride for the visitors with a consolation penalty only minutes from time.
Birmingham City 2-1 Southampton
The news that Gordon Strachan was to leave his post as Southampton boss
at the end of the season was followed by another disappointing result for
the Saints. The south coast side took the lead through Brett Ormerod on 6
minutes only for Steve Bruce's side, who now sit 8th in the table, to
equalise through Stephen Clemence ten minutes later. Jeff Kenna then put the
hosts ahead in the second-half, and things got worse for the visitors as
David Prutton was shown red with twenty minutes to go.
Blackburn Rovers 3-4 Bolton Wanderers
Bolton put the disappointment of their defeat to United behind them, by
winning a different Lancashire derby 4-3. In a sensational game, Kevin Nolan
put the visitors ahead before
Vratislav Gresko and former Manchester United pair Andrew Cole and Dwight
Yorke made it 3-1 to Blackburn. Frenchman Youri Djorkaeff brought Bolton
back into the game before the interval. Stylianos Giannakopoulos and a
second from Nolan completed a dramatic comeback for the Trotters, who are
now 11th, in the second-half.
Charlton Athletic 2-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Dave Jones' side continue to falter with a two-nil defeat at the hands
of London's surprise package Charlton Athletic. Jason Euell netted a goal in
each half for the Addicks, who sit 4th in the Premiership table. Euell was
the centre of attention on another pleasing day for the Reds, with the
attacking-minded player also booked. The result leaves Wolves still bottom
of the table, and seven points from safety with seventeen Premiership games
still to play.
Fulham 2-1 Everton
Louis Saha put the events of the past week behind him, and put in an
inspirational display which helped Fulham to a 2-1 victory over Everton at
Loftus Road. The French striker, who has publicly admitted a rift with
manager Chris Coleman, opened the scoring for the hosts from the penalty
spot just before the break, only for Steed Malbranque to double the
advantage only seconds into the second period of the game. Kevin Kilbane
gave the Toffees some hope, but his 81st minute strike proves only
consolation for 12th placed Everton.
Leeds United 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Problems get worse for Leeds United, as David Pleat's Tottenham Hotspur
built on their 4-1 mid-week victory over Birmingham City with a pleasing
victory at Elland Road. Robbie Keane scored the only goal of the game for
Spurs, against his former club, as Spurs made Leeds' problems worse. The
Yorkshire club are now 5 points from safety, with fellow strugglers
Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers both having a game in hand. Lets
hope it continues!
Liverpool 1-0 Aston Vila
Bloomin' Scousers! Liverpool's revival continues, as Gerald Houllier's
side built on their F.A Cup win over Yeovil and mid-week victory at Stamford
Bridge with a hard-fought 1-0 triumph over David O'Leary's Aston Villa. Mark
Delaney's own goal in the first-half secured three points for rivals
Liverpool, which keeps them in 5th place in the Premiership table, and
having the advantage of a game in hand over Charlton Athletic.
Portsmouth 4-2 Manchester City
Local rivals Manchester City crashed to another defeat, with Kevin
Keegan's side going down 4-2 at Fratton Park.
Dejan Stefanovic opened the
scoring in the 6-goal thriller, but Antoine Sibierski and Nicolas Anelka got
on the scoresheet before half-time to give City the lead at the break.
Fortunately, Pompey turned on the style in the second-half Yakubu Ayegbeni
netting a brace and former United star Teddy Sheringham also grabbing a goal
to secure three points for Harry Redknapp's 17th placed Portsmouth.
Sunday's Fixtures:
Leicester City v. Chelsea (2.00pm)
Manchester United v. Newcastle United (4.05pm)
Full reaction and report from
United's tough league clash with the Magpies will be uploaded tomorrow, as
well as the scoreline and information from Chelsea's trip to the Walkers
Stadium to face struggling Leicester City. |
