With many thanks to Brian Judson, without whom this feature would not be possible.
Saturday, March 1st, 2003
Blackburn Rovers v Manchester City 1-0
Dunn grabbed the only goal of the game in the 13th minute when
he headed home. Tugay had begun the move by setting up
Ostenstad, whose shot was saved by Nash. The ball bounced up
to allow Dunn to score. Fowler had a miserable game for the
visitors, missing a number of chances to equalise.
Fulham v Sunderland 1-0
Sunderland threw everything but the kitchen sink into this match. They had
plenty of chances to score whilst they had Fulham on the rack but spurned
them all. Saha grabbed the only goal of the game in the 85th minute when
Stoicers centred from the left wing and Saha stole into space to head the
ball home. Sunderland now look certs to be relegated.
Middlesbrough v Everton 1-1
A favourite son returned to the Riverside to make his third debut in
Middlesbrough's colours. But it was Watson who put the Blues ahead in
the 23rd minute when Unsworth hit a ball forward. Radzinski chased it and
caught it, centreing the ball to Campbell, who laid it off to Watson.
Watson fumbled his shot but the ball bobbled over the goal line. Juninho
came on as a second half substitute and marked his debut by scoring
in the 74th minute. Boateng pushed forward on a long run, Maccarone
slipped the ball to Juninho, who smashed home a spectacular drive.
Newcastle United v Chelsea 2-1
Woodgate made his belated debut for the Magpies. The Toon went ahead
when Hasselbaink conceded an own goal in the 31st minute when he was
trying to clear the ball but could only head it into his own goal. Lampard
equalised in the 37th minute when Given tried to catch Hasselbaink's corner
which Hughes partially cleared only to see Lampard smash the ball back
into the goal. Bernard grabbed the winner for the Magpies in the 53rd minute
when he lobbed a pass from Viana over Cudicini to ensure the points were
the Magpies!
Southampton v West Bromwich Albion 1-0
Beattie scored the only goal of the match in the 8th minute. A cross came in from
the right wing which Ormerod knocked down for Beattie to unleash a stunning
drive that Hoult did not see as it flew into the net. The Baggies pushed forward
in search of an equaliser but were unlucky. Their situation at the foot of the table
is now perilous.
West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur 2-0
Do you really want to read this report?
Sunday, March 2nd, 2003
Arsenal v Charlton Athletic 2-0
The Gooners were rarely troubled by their visitors. Jeffers put them ahead in the
25th minute when Pires sent Henry tearing down the wing. Henry's centre found
Jeffers with virtually an open goal which he could not miss. Pires added a second
goal in the 45th minute when Henry tore upfield with a ball following a Charlton
corner. Ljungberg kept the ball in play on the bye-line and Powell miskicked his
clearance to Pires, who volleyed the ball behind Kiely. In the second half, the
Gunners switched off and relaxed, knowing they were well out in front of the pack.
Monday, March 3rd, 2003
Aston Villa v Birmingham City 0-2
This was a disgraceful match with two dismissals, crowd invasions and a nasty stench
of a match. Dublin was dismissed for headbutting Savage and Gudjonsson picked
up two yellow cards. Lazaridis put the Blues ahead in the 74th minute when
Kenna's centre was headed home by the Australian. Horsfield added a second in
the 77th minute when Enckleman fatally hesitated to allow Horsfield to score. Geoff
Horsfield ended up playing in goal after Vaessen sustained an injury that will keep
him out for the rest of the season.
Wednesday, March 5th, 2003
Manchester United v Leeds United 2-1
Although Manchester United won the match, they sustained problems
that will bedevil them for some time to come. Veron, Silvestre and Roy
Keane all sustained injuries during the match. Keane's is the most serious
as he will miss at least four weeks due to hamstring problems. Yet their
victory ensures Arsenal cannot be complacent. Radebe conceded an
own goal in the 20th minute when he was under pressure from both van
Nistelrooy and Scholes. The Leeds defender tried to push the ball away
for a corner but only succeeded in pushing it into his own goal. Viduka
equalised in the 64th minute when Phil Neville brought down the feisty
Alan Smith to concede a free-kick. Harte's curling free-kick was blocked
by Barthez but Viduka whipped the ball into the net before anyone could
react. Silvestre ensured the Reds would keep the points at Old Trafford
when he scored in the 79th minute. Smith picked up his 10th booking of
the season for arguing with referee Graham Poll and will shortly be
suspended.
Middlesbrough v Newcastle United 1-0
Newcastle's challenge for the Premiership title took a severe knock when
Geremi scored the only goal of the match in the 62nd minute. Newcastle
had not been previously defeated in 2003 prior to this match. Woodgate
was making his debut in the team after his transfer from Leeds. His
manager, Sir Bobby Robson, praised his debut, describing him as world
class. There was very little goalmouth action as both sets of defenders
were playing well. The goal finally came just after the hour when
Queudrue whipped in a centre and Geremi darted past Bramble to
divert the ball behind Given.
Saturday, March 8th, 2003
Liverpool v Bolton Wanderers 2-0
Bolton played well throughout the match without getting the breaks
they deserved. Diouf put Liverpool ahead in the 44th minute when he headed
home from Owen's centre, despite furious protests by the Bolton players
that Diouf was offside. Owen put the game beyond Bolton in the 67th minute
when Diouf took advantage of Charlton stumbling to claim the ball and
centre it to Owen, who tapped the ball home.
FA Barclaycard Premiership
Pos. Pl. W. D. L. F-A. GD Pts
1 Arsenal 29 19 6 4 64-30 34 63
2 Man Utd 29 17 7 5 47-27 20 58
3 Newcastle 29 17 4 8 47-34 13 55
4 Everton 29 14 7 8 38-34 4 49
5 Chelsea 29 13 9 7 50-31 18 48
6 Liverpool 29 12 10 7 41-28 13 46
7 Charlton 29 13 6 10 39-36 3 45
8 Blackburn 29 11 10 8 35-32 3 43
9 Spurs 29 12 7 10 41-40 1 43
10 So'pton 29 11 9 9 30-29 1 42
11 M'brough 29 10 8 11 35-32 3 38
12 Man City 29 11 5 13 39-44 -5 38
13 Fulham 29 10 7 12 33-35 -2 37
14 A. Villa 29 10 5 14 31-34 -3 35
15 Leeds 29 10 4 15 35-39 -4 34
16 B'mingham 29 8 8 13 28-41 -13 32
17 Bolton 29 5 11 13 31-47 -16 26
18 West Ham 29 6 8 15 32-53 -21 26
19 West Brom 29 5 6 18 21-44 -23 21
20 S'derland 29 4 7 18 19-46 -27 19
Cheers. Brian
