With many thanks to Brian Judson, without whom this feature would not be possible
Saturday 24 November 2001
Bolton Wanderers v Fulham 0-0
This was a dreadful game with very few shots on target. Neither side
deserved to win. Bolton have only scored twice in their last five home
matches, their early season confidence gone. Understandably, Fulham were
happier with the point than Bolton were.
Chelsea v Blackburn Rovers 0-0
The Blues wasted a glorious chance to catch up on the leaders. It was
their fourth draw of the season at the Bridge and their most inept
performance so far. Blackburn generally produced the better chances and
almost scored in the first minute. Jansen fatally hesitated before
shooting, allowing Gallas to retrieve the situation. The longer the game
went on, the less likelier it looked that a goal would be scored.
Leicester City v Everton 0-0
There were few thrills in this match. Neither side looked like scoring
though Scowcroft should have won the match for Leicester in the 84th
minute. He was put through and only had Simonsen to beat but shot tamely
at the Everton goalkeeper. Gascoigne played for the last half hour for
Everton. Walker was rarely threatened by Everton in the Leicester goal.
Newcastle United v Derby County 1-0
Alan Shearer scored the only goal of the game from a penalty, a week after
he had missed his last penalty. It was awarded in the 30th minute when
Riggott sent Robert flying in the penalty area. Shearer made no mistake
from the spot this week. Later, Ravenelli missed a similar chance when
Given, who played a blinder, saved his penalty. O'Brien had upended
Ravenelli. The Italian was then prevented from equalising for Derby by
Given brilliantly anticipating where he would place the ball.
Southampton v Charlton Athletic 1-0
The Saints finally won a match at home when Pahars scored after 57
minutes. A record crowd of 31,198 spectators saw them finally break the
hoodoo of being unable to win at home. Beattie provided the cross from
which Pahars headed home. Both teams lacked invention. Charlton nearly
scored an equaliser with two minutes left when Brown saw his shot hit an
upright and rebound to safety.
West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur 0-1
Full report available here.
Sunday 25 November 2001
Arsenal v Manchester United 3-1
Scholes opened the scoring in the 14th minute when he pounced on a cross
from Silvestre to force the ball home through a packed goalmouth.
Ljungberg equalised in the 48th minute when Gary Neville made a hash of a
clearance, leaving the Swedish international time to chip the ball over
Barthez. Henry put Arsenal ahead in the 80th minute when Barthez missed
his kick when trying to make a clearance and the ball ran straight to
Henry, who made no mistake from close range. Henry then extended
Arsenal's lead in the 85th minute when Barthez dropped the ball at his
feet and Henry had the ball in the back of the net before anyone else
could react.
Leeds United v Aston Villa 1-1
Smith opened the scoring for Leeds in the 18th minute when Keane pounced
on a poor backpass by Wright and teed up the ball for Smith, whose shot
went in off the hapless Stone. Smith was then sent off in the 32nd minute
for thrusting his elbow in Kachloul's face. Kachloul equalised for Aston
Villa in the 35th minute when Merson took a free kick for Kachloul to
volley past Martyn. later, Hendrie was booked instead of being sent off
after pushing Mills in the face. Villa promptly called Hendrie off as a
safeguard against a further booking that would have led to a sending off.
Liverpool v Sunderland 1-0
Heskey scored the only goal of the game in the 22nd minute when Haas
conceded a free-kick by fouling Smicer. Murphy took the free-kick and
Heskey headed the ball home with a terrific header. Later, Hamman was sent
off for a dreadful two-footed tackle on Haas. Acting manager Phil Thompson
was furious over the decision and initially refused to shake hands with
Haas at the end of the game. With Hamann sent off, Fowler was called off
so that McAlister could replace the absent Hamman in midfield. Although
Sunderland fought like tigers, they never looked like equalising.
Middlesbrough v Ipswich Town 0-0
Ipswich started with Bent up front alongside Armstrong. George Burley
claimed after the game that Ipswich should have had a penalty in the 36th
minute when Queudrue appeared to pull Bent down but the referee waved play
on. Counago also had a chance to score but saw his shot hit the post with
Crossley stranded and bounce to safety.
Pos Pl. W. D. L. For-Ag Pts.
1 Liverpool 12 8 2 2 22- 11 26
2 Leeds 13 6 6 1 16- 8 24
3 Arsenal 13 6 5 2 28- 15 23
4 Newcastle 13 7 2 4 23- 17 23
5 A. Villa 13 6 5 2 18- 12 23
6 Man United 13 6 3 4 31- 23 21
7 Spurs 14 6 3 5 21- 18 21
8 Chelsea 13 4 8 1 16- 11 20
9 Bolton 14 5 5 4 18- 17 20
10 Blackburn 14 4 7 2 21- 16 19
11 Fulham 13 4 6 3 15- 13 18
12 Everton 13 4 5 4 18- 17 17
13 S'derland 14 4 4 6 12- 15 16
14 M'brough 14 4 4 6 16- 20 16
15 West Ham 13 4 3 6 16- 25 15
16 Charlton 13 3 5 5 16- 18 14
17 S'hampton 13 3 1 9 11- 22 10
18 Derby 13 2 4 7 10- 23 10
19 Leicester 14 2 4 8 7- 25 10
20 Ipswich 14 1 6 7 14- 22 9
