With many thanks to Brian Judson, without whom this feature would not be possible
Saturday 17 November 2001
Aston Villa v Middlesbrough 0-0
Although Villa dominated proceedings, they could not break down the
Middlesbrough defence. Southgate and Ehiogu, two former Villa defenders,
were at the heart of the Middlesbrough defence. Villa lost Delaney early
on with a leg injury and Ian Taylor replaced him. Queudrue was replaced by
Cooper at half-time but still the Middlesbrough defence held. Villa sent
Ginola on with twenty minutes left but they still could not find a way
past a resolute Middlesbrough defence.
Blackburn Rovers v Liverpool 1-1
The point that Liverpool seized at Ewood Park was sufficient to take them
to the top of the table. Owen gave Liverpool the lead in the 30th minute
when Gerrard put in a speculative cross that did not look very dangerous
but Owen outjumped Berg to head the ball beyond Friedel's reach. Jansen
equalised for Blackburn in the 52nd minute when Blackburn won a corner.
Tugay intercepted a clearance but horribly sliced his shot. Gillespie got
a toe to the ball and it eventually ran to Jansen, who slotted home with
the minimum of fuss.
Derby County v Southampton 1-0
This win lifted Derby off the bottom of the table and dumped the Saints
deeper in trouble. Mawene appeared to get a touch to the ball when the
only goal of the game was scored in the 25th minute to separate two clubs
in deep distress. Burley took a corner, Beattie spooned the ball high into
the air. Goalkeeper Paul Jones could only watch in horror as the ball
dropped into the goalmouth and Mawene apply the final touch.
Fulham v Newcastle United 3-1
Saha put Fulham ahead after 20 minutes. He played a on-two with Legwinski
before scoring from 25 yards. Legwinski then increased Fulham's lead in
the 28th minute when Malbranque provided a pass that split the Magpie's
defence and allowed Legwinski to score with consummate ease. Newcastle
reduced the arrears after 65 minutes when Hughes swung over a centre from
the right and Speed headed the ball beyond van der Sar. But in the 70th
minute a corner from Malbranque was whipped on to Hayles, who headed home
with great glee to restore Fulham's two goal lead. Shortly afterwards,
Goma was adjudged to have upset Robert. Shearer took the penalty and
uncharacteristically missed as van der Sar finger-tipped the ball round
the post.
Manchester United v Leicester City 2-0
Although the Champions won, it was not one of their better performances.
It was van Nistelrooy who put them ahead after 20 minutes. Beckham
provided the cross from which the Dutch striker headed home. A minute
later, Leicester won a penalty after Blanc fouled Benjamin to prevent him
from reach Akinbiyi's miscued shot. Barthez delayed the penalty by
deliberately cleaning his boots on a post to wind Izzet up. Izzet took the
penalty whilst Barthez did so and was forced to retake the penalty, which
Barthez then saved. Yorke added a second in the 50th minute when Neville
provided the cross from which Yorke headed home.
Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal 1-1
Read the full report here - remember the planned "Minute of Contempt"?
Sunday 18 November 2001
Everton v Chelsea 0-0
This was a terrible advertisement for football with both sides hopelessly
out of form. Everton played Steve Watson, a defender, as a striker as both
Ferguson and Campbell were not fit. There was some excuse for Everton with
all their injuries but Chelsea had none. They were quite simply awful.
Neither side looked like scoring no matter how long the game was played
for.
Ipswich Town v Bolton Wanderers 1-2
The home side lost Marcus Stewart in a training accident on Saturday as he
broke his jaw after colliding with team mate Pablo Counago and will be
absent for at least two months. Bergsson gave the visitors the lead in the
6th minute when Bergsson headed home from Frandsen's corner. Ricketts
added a second after 25 minutes when Bergsson prodded the ball forward for
Ricketts to score. Holland reduced the arrears deep in first half injury
time when he scored from 25 yards. Ipswich ended the match with 10 men
after they had used all three substitutes when Le Pen, one of the
substitutes, was injured thirteen minutes after coming on.
Sunderland v Leeds United 2-0
Two second half goals ended Leeds' unbeaten run in the Premier League.
Leeds were without Bowyer, Viduka, Kewell and Woodgate for various
reasons. Arca put Sunderland ahead in the 47th minute. Martyn should take
the blame for that as he failed to hold on to a shot from McAteer and the
ball ran loose to Arca, who forced the ball home. Phillips added a second
in the 53rd minute. Williams lifted the ball to the edge of the area.
Quinn chested the ball down and Phillips volleyed the ball home without
checking his stride.
Monday 19 November 2001
Charlton Athletic v West Ham United 4-4
Paul Kitson scored a hat trick in an amazing eight goal thriller to mark
his return to the West Ham side. Kitson opened the scoring in the 3rd
minute when Di Canio put him through to volley the ball behind Kelly.
Euell equalised after 21 minutes when Hislop failed to collect the ball
from a headed back pass by Dailly and Euell nipped in to score. Euell
added a second after 28 minutes to put Charlton ahead when Repka failed to
clear Scott Parker's back heel. Kitson equalised in the 30th minute when
Di Canio sent Minto away on the left and his pass allowed Kitson to brush
past Fish to score. Johansson restored Charlton's lead in the 51st minute
when a West Ham attack broke down, Parker threaded the ball forward and
Johansson scored with a terrific finish. Kitson equalised again in the
64th minute when Di Canio crossed the ball to Sinclair, who pulled the
ball back for Kitson to score. Defoe then put West Ham ahead in the 84th
minute Dailly crossed the ball from the left and Defoe timed his run to
perfection to volley the ball home. Johansson equalised for Charlton in
the 90th minute when Johansson scored from an over head kick after Fish
had back headed the ball across the goal.
Pos Pl. W. D. L. For-Ag Pts.
1 Liverpool 11 7 2 2 21-11 23
2 Leeds 12 6 5 1 15- 7 23
3 A. Villa 12 6 4 2 17-11 22
4 Man United 12 6 3 3 30-20 21
5 Arsenal 12 5 5 2 25-14 20
6 Newcastle 12 6 2 4 22-17 20
7 Chelsea 12 4 7 1 16-11 19
8 Bolton 13 5 4 4 18-17 19
9 Blackburn 13 4 6 2 21-16 18
10 Spurs 13 5 3 5 20-18 18
11 Fulham 12 4 5 3 15-13 17
12 Everton 12 4 4 4 18-17 16
13 S'derland 13 4 4 5 12-14 16
14 M'brough 13 4 3 6 16-20 15
15 West Ham 12 4 3 5 16-24 15
16 Charlton 12 3 5 4 16-17 14
17 Derby 12 2 4 6 10-22 10
18 Leicester 13 2 3 8 7-25 9
19 Ipswich 13 1 5 7 14-22 8
20 S'hampton 12 2 1 9 10-22 7
