With many thanks to Brian Judson, without whom this feature would not be possible.
Saturday, April 26th, 2003
Birmingham City v Middlesbrough 3-0
The Blues finally sealed their safety by beating a spineless Middlesbrough
side. Dugarry put them ahead in the 18th minute when Clemence provided the
pass for Dugarry to display some ball juggling skills before whipping the
ball behind Schwarzer. Clemence increased the Blues' lead in the 40th
minute when Dugarry was fouled. Middlesbrough took a long time to organise
their wall so Clemence took a quick free-kick to score. Lazaradis rounded
off the scoring in the 80th minute when he headed home a Savage cross.
Bolton Wanderers v Arsenal 2-2
The Gunners have shot themselves in the foot! The first half was dire as
Arsenal were clearly out of sorts. But Wiltord struck in the 47th minute
to put them ahead when Pires sent Henry away down the left wing. Henry's
centre was so precise that Wiltord only had to tap the ball over the line.
It was Henry who created the goal that Pires scored in the 56th minute/He
sent a pass to the unmarked Pires, some 20 yards out, who lobbed the ball
over the Bolton defence. It looked all over ... but it wasn't! Arsenal
lost Cygan and Lauren to injuries, which added to Campbell's 4-game
suspension, gives them enormous problems. Djorkaeff reduced the arrears in
the 74th minute when Seaman saved a hard shot from Frandsen but could not
hold it and Djorkaeff forced the rebound over the line. Keown then
conceded an own goal in the 84th minute as he tried to concede a corner
from a Djorkaeff free-kick. The memory of the last few minutes will linger
as Wenger raged at the casual way his side have conceded the title.
Charlton Athletic v Southampton 2-1
The Addicks finally stopped the rot! Parker put them ahead in the 32nd
minute when he surged through the Southampton defence to let fly with a
shot that Jones had no chance of stopping. Lisbie added a second in the
50th minute when Jensen took a free-kick which Lisbie headed in to Jones's
goal. Beattie reduced the arrears in the 90th minute when Kishishev failed
to clear the ball and Beattie whipped it back into the net.
Chelsea v Fulham 1-1
The Blues were off-song and Fulham deservedly scored a point that will
probably be enough for them to avoid the drop. Goma conceded an own goal
in the 39th minute when in a goal mouth melee, John Terry was the last
Chelsea player to touch the ball which was deflected off Goma. But Fulham
refused to give up and Boa Morte equalised in the 66th minute when Clark
and Davis swapped passes before Boa Morte strode by Desailly and whipped
the ball into the Chelsea goal.
Everton v Aston Villa 2-1
The first half was not a pretty one following two Everton defeats. A third
looked on the cards when Allback fired Villa ahead in the 49th minute when
Gudjohnsen centred the ball, Dublin missed it and Allback rifled the ball
behind Wright. Campbell equalised for Everton in the 59th minute when
Villa failed to clear a ball. Naysmith lobbed the ball back for Campbell
to head the ball home. Rooney snatched an improbable winner in the 90th
minute when Villa had failed to clear the ball and Rooney volleyed the
ball behind Enckleman from the edge of the penalty area.
Leeds United v Blackburn Rovers 2-3
Elland Road is still not free of the relegation shadow. Viduka put them
ahead in the 21st minute when a shot from Kewell was parried by Friedel
and Viduka promptly whipped the ball into the Blackburn goal. Dunn
equalised from the penalty spot in the 38th minute after Duberry had
handled the ball. Cole put Blackburn ahead in the 69th minute when Yorke
put Cole through. Robinson parried Cole's first effort but could do
nothing about the follow-up. Todd increased Blackburn's lead in the 78th
minute when Robinson misjudged a corner taken by Duff and Todd was on hand
to force the ball into Robinson's goal. Smith reduced the arrears in the
90th minute when he took advantage of some confusion between Friedel and
Todd to force the ball over the Blackburn goal-line.
Sunderland v Newcastle United 0-1
The last North East derby for some time was settled when Solano scored
from a penalty in the 43rd minute after Kilbane had tripped Bellamy. But
Newcastle were unable to impose themselves and almost dropped two points.
Kyle managed to score for Sunderland but the goal was disallowed as Flo
had pushed Given. Sunderland look as though it will be a few years before
they return to the Premiership and things might become worse before they
improve.
West Bromwich Albion v Liverpool 0-6
The Baggies were completely outclassed! Owen put them ahead in the 15th
minute when Murphy provided the pass on which Owen spun past the Baggies
defence to drill the ball beyond Hoult. Baros increased the Reds' lead in
the 47th minute when Owen provided the pass from which Baros scored. Owen
quickly made the score 3-0 in the 49th minute when Diouf provided the pass
from which Owen scored his 100th Premiership goal. Owen made the score 4-0
in the 61st minute when Baros outraced Clement and provided the pass for
Owen to complete his hat-trick. Owen added the fifth in the 67th minute
when Murphy provided the pass for Owen to prod behind Hoult. Baros
completed the rout in the 84th minute when Gerrard sent Baros racing
through the Baggies' defence to score. Liverpool could have scored 10 had
they really bothered.
Sunday, April 27th, 2003
Manchester City v West Ham United 0-1
The Sky Blues had sufficient chances to smother West Ham before the
Hammers scored. Despite some signs of Calamity James, West Ham managed to
ride the storm. They had lost the veteran Les Ferdinand in the 54th minute
with a suspected broken leg. Hutchinson replaced Ferdinand. In the 81st
minute, West Ham scored the only goal of the game. Cole crossed the ball
from the left, Schmeichel smothered Hutchison's half volley but could not
hold the ball. Kanoute pounced to whip the ball into the unguarded net
before anyone else could react.
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United 0-2
Read the full report here
FA Barclaycard Premiership
Pos. Pl. W. D. L. F-A. GD Pts
1 Man Utd 36 23 8 5 68-32 36 77
2 Arsenal 35 21 9 5 73-38 35 72
3 Newcastle 36 20 5 11 60-46 14 65
4 Chelsea 36 18 10 8 66-36 30 64
5 Liverpool 36 18 10 8 59-37 22 64
6 Everton 36 17 8 11 47-45 2 59
7 Blackburn 36 15 11 10 47-42 5 56
8 Spurs 36 14 8 14 50-53 -3 50
9 Charlton 36 14 7 15 44-51 -7 49
10 So'pton 35 12 12 11 41-41 0 48
11 Man City 36 14 6 16 45-52 -7 48
12 B'mingham 36 13 8 15 40-46 -6 47
13 M'brough 36 12 10 14 42-41 1 46
14 A. Villa 36 11 9 16 40-44 -4 42
15 Fulham 36 11 9 16 38-50 -12 42
16 Leeds 36 12 5 19 52-54 -2 41
17 Bolton 36 9 13 14 39-50 -11 40
18 West Ham 36 9 11 16 39-57 -18 38
19 West Brom 36 6 6 24 26-62 -36 24 R
20 S'derland 36 4 7 25 21-60 -39 19 R
