With many thanks to Brian Judson, without whom this feature would not be possible
Saturday 13 October 2001
Bolton Wanderers v Newcastle United 0-4
The Magpies took the Trotters to the cleaners in this match, confirming
the likelihood that Bolton will end up fighting a relegation battle.
Solano put the Magpies ahead in the 41st minute when Shearer headed an
Elliott cross back to Solano, who needed only a slight touch of the ball
to score. Robert added a second goal in the 62nd minute when the Magpies
were awarded a free kick after Jaaskelainen handled the ball outside the
area and was ordered off. Robert took the resulting free-kick to score.
Shearer added the third in the 72nd minute when he headed the ball home
from a Robert cross. Shearer provided the pass for Bellamy to score the
fourth six minutes from time. He should have added a fifth but dragged the
ball wide from close range.
Charlton Athletic v Middlesbrough 0-0
The Addicks were on top for most of the match but failed to turn their
dominance into goals. Middlesbrough, however, had chances to score but
failed to punish Charlton. In the end, neither side deserved to win,
although two good chances fell to Boksic, who really should have scored.
Chelsea v Leicester City 2-0
Dave Bassett, the new manager of Leicester, once again linked up with
Dennis Wise, who used to be a player of his when both were at Wimbledon.
Leicester were very poor and looked it. They have lost confidence and look
nothing like the side that stormed to the top of the Premier League in the
early days of last season. Hasselbaink scored the first goal from the
penalty spot after Rowett had fouled Gudjohnsen. Chelsea increased their
lead on the stroke of half-time when Zenden put Gudjohnsen through in the
dying seconds of first half injury time. Chelsea are the only side
unbeaten in all competitions this season.
Ipswich Town v Everton 0-0
Everton should have won this match easily and would have done so had Kevin
Campbell taken his chances. He was clean through three times but Sereni
blocked his first shot, Campbell then poked his second effort wide and on
the third occasion shot tamely at Sereni. With three minutes left, he
failed yet again, shooting wide when it looked easier to score. Neither
side played particularly well and Ipswich seemed to be thinking more about
their UEFA Cup campaign than their domestic position.
Liverpool v Leeds United 1-1
It was Leeds who gained the early ascendancy in this match. Their goal
came from a 27th minute corner when Ferdinand knocked the ball back to the
other post. McAllister failed to clear the ball and Kewell had plenty of
time to rifle the ball home. Litmanen came on at half-time, replacing
Heskey, and the Reds slowly built up a head of steam, although Martyn was
not seriously tested. Murphy finally equalised for Liverpool when Fowler
found space on the edge of the penalty area and chipped a shot that
rebounded off the bar for Murphy to head home. Bowyer, however, missed a
great chance to snatch the points for Leeds in the dying seconds.
Southampton v Arsenal 0-2
The Gunners had few problems in disposing of Southampton and rarely rose
above second gear. Pires put Arsenal ahead after 5 minutes when Ljungberg
won possession of the ball, Henry pushed the ball through for Wiltord to
latch onto and Pires hammered the ball home. Arsenal then spurned many
chances and did not extend their lead until Henry added a second with 16
minutes left. But that goal owed a great deal to a deflection off a
Southampton player. Saints have not yet won a game at their new ground.
Sunderland v Manchester United 1-3
The Champions were well out in front before Sunderland pierced their
defence late in the match. Varga conceded a 35th minute own goal when
Chadwick burst through and let fly and Varga could not get out of the way
of the ball, deflecting it past his own goalkeeper. Giggs put Manchester
United further ahead in the 59th minute when Cole timed his pass right so
Giggs took it in his stride and lobbed the ball over Sorensen. Cole then
added a third in the 66th minute when Chadwick provided the pass from
which he scored. Phillips reduced the arrears with seven minutes left when
he outpaced Brown and rounded Carroll, the young United goalkeeper.
Sunday 14 October 2001
Aston Villa v Fulham 2-0
Fulham are finding life in the top flight harder than they thought it
would be last season. But they still look too good to slip into the
relegation dog fight. Both of Villa's goals came in the second half.
Vassell scored the first in the 50th minute when Hendrie fed Hadji, whose
centre was stroke home by Vassell. Taylor added a second twelve minutes
later when Angel provided the pass from which Taylor poked the ball home
in driving rain.
Blackburn Rovers v West Ham United 7-1
The Hammers were slaughtered by an average Blackburn side, highlighting
the distinct probability the Hammers will be relegated this season.Ed:- Hmmm - little did we know they would finish above us!Only
Hislop, in goal, showed any form whatsoever for the Hammers. Flitcroft,
(18), Dunn (27) and Johnson (28) had already put the game well beyond
salvation for West Ham before Carrick reduced the arrears in the 39th
minute. McCann then conceded an own goal in the 63rd minute before Tugay
(80) and Hignett (82) completed the rout. Repka, West Ham's recent
signing, was sent off for the second time this season.
Monday 15 October 2001
Tottenham Hotspur v Derby County 3-1
Read the full report here.
Pos Pl. W. D. L. For-Ag Pts.
1 Leeds 8 5 3 0 12- 3 18
2 Arsenal 8 5 2 1 18- 5 17
3 Man United 8 5 2 1 25-14 17
4 A. Villa 7 4 3 0 11- 3 15
5 Newcastle 8 4 2 2 15-11 14
6 Chelsea 7 3 4 0 12- 7 13
7 Liverpool 7 4 1 2 11- 8 13
8 Blackburn 9 3 3 2 15-11 12
9 Bolton 9 3 3 3 10-10 12
10 S'derland 9 3 3 3 9-10 12
11 Everton 8 3 2 3 12-10 11
12 Spurs 9 3 2 4 14-14 11
13 Charlton 7 2 3 2 7- 7 9
14 M'brough 9 2 2 5 8-17 8
15 Fulham 8 1 4 3 7-10 7
16 Ipswich 8 1 3 4 6-11 6
17 S'hampton 7 2 0 5 5-12 6
18 West Ham 7 1 2 4 5-16 5
19 Derby 8 1 2 5 6-15 5
20 Leicester 9 1 2 6 5-19 5
