With many thanks to Brian Judson, without whom this feature would not be possible.
Wednesday, October 23rd, 2002
Fulham v West Ham United 0-1
The only goal of the game came from a last minute penalty taken by Di
Canio. Knight was dismissed for denying Defoe the chance to score and the
controversial Italian striker made no mistake. The match itself had
largely been devoid of the passion one normally associates with a London
derby. Fulham seemed to be more preoccupied with their upcoming UEFA Cup
tie than with this match.
Saturday, October 26th, 2002
Arsenal v Blackburn Rovers 1-2
The champions are slipping. This was their third consecutive defeat in a
week. Edu was responsible for an own goal in the 6th minute. He was trying
to concede a corner but only succeeded in steering the ball into his own
goal with Seaman hopelessly stranded. Edu equalised for Arsenal in the
45th minute when he took a free-kick that eluded every outstretched leg
and flew into the Blackburn goal. Arsenal piled on the pressure and
Friedel's goal bore a charmed life at times during the second half. The
only goal of the second half was scored by Yorke in the 51st minute. Tugay
sent Ostenstad racing through the centre and he squared the ball to Yorke,
who chipped it over Seaman. Flitcroft was sent off for a second bookable
offence with 11 minutes left.
Birmingham City v Manchester City 0-2
Johai put the visitors ahead in the 24th minute when Foe passed the ball
to an unmarked Berkovic. From Berkovic, the ball was centred to Jihai, one
of the smallest players on the pitch, to head home. Anelka added a second
goal in the 87th minute when he broke clear of the Blues defence to score.
Chelsea v West Bromwich Albion 2-0
Hasselbaink fired the Blues ahead in the 30th minute when Petit put him
through as the West Brom defence stood still. Hoult's leg partially
deflected the Dutchman's shot into the net. Le Saux clinched the points
for Chelsea when Hasselbaink pulled Moore out of position and firing in a
shot that Gregan cleared off the line. But Le Saux was on hand to collect
the clearance in the 55th minute and score with ease. Chelsea then fell
apart and could have lost the game as West Bromwich repeatedly hit
woodwork and did everything but score.
Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur 2-1
The full report can be read here
Manchester United v Aston Villa 1-1
For a very long time, it looked as if Mellberg's 35th minute goal was
going to be enough to secure Villa the points. Kinsella took a corner and
the home defenders allowed Mellberg to head the ball home to the fury of
their manager. Forlan finally scored his first Premiership goal when
Silvestre floated the ball into the penalty area in the 77th minute for
Forlan to head home. But overall, it was a poor performance by the home
side, who are clearly distracted by European matches.
Middlesbrough v Leeds United 2-2
Viduka fired home a penalty in the 11th minute when he was tripped by
Ehiogu. Job equalised in the 25th minute when Leeds cleared a corner,
Southgate won possession of the ball and played it to Geremi and he, in
turn, played the ball to Job, for him to score. Bowyer put Leeds ahead
again in the 56th minute when Kewell fired a shot that Schwarzer could
only block and Bowyer turned in the rebound. Southgate scored the second
equaliser in the 83rd minute when Geremi swung in a low corner and
Southgate swept the ball home. Smith, for Leeds, and Queudrue, for the
home side, both saw red cards for two bookable offences.
Newcastle United v Charlton Athletic 2-1
Bartlett fired Charlton into a 30th minute lead when he took advantage of
hesitancy between O'Brien and Bramble and sent a low shot under Given.
Griffin equalised in the 37th minute when Shearer laid the ball off for
Griffin to fire the ball high into Kiely's net. But it was the Frenchman
Robert who scored the winner in the 59th minute when he let fly with a
stunning strike.
Sunday, October 27th, 2002
Southampton v Fulham 4-2
Clark, making his first start since Boxing Day, beat Niemi with a 25 yard
shot that took a deflection off Svensson in the 15th minute. Malbranque
added a second in the 25th minute when he sidefooted the ball home from
close range. Beattie reduced the arrears with a penalty taken in the 27th
minute when Goma needlessly handled the ball in the penalty area. Fulham
were guilty of ball watching when Beattie equalised in the 42nd minute
when he headed home a cross from Fernandes. Beattie completed his first
ever hat-trick in the 53rd minute when he rose to head home Svensson's
free-kick. Ormerod rounded off the scoring in the 72nd minute, following a
strong run by Marsden, he forced the ball home.
West Ham United v Everton 0-1
The mere presence of Wayne Rooney, who came on as a substitute for Everton
in the 64th minute was sufficient to distract West Ham. They were far too
busy watching him when Carsley was allowed plenty of time in the 70th
minute to run and meet Unsworth's centre and firmly head the ball home.
West Ham were very disappointing.
Monday, October 28th, 2002
Bolton Wanderers v Sunderland 1-1
In a very dire and disappointing game, neither side looked likely to
score at all. It came as a complete surprise to see Sunderland go
ahead as a result of a long range shot from Gray in the 45th minute,
during an extended period of added time, because Sunderland had been
forced to make two substitute changes due to injury. Myrrh had been
injured when he strained a thigh as he kicked a ball and was replaced by
Macho. Then, Reyna was carried off with a serious leg injury and was
replaced by Thirlwell. It looked as if Gray's goal was going to be enough
but the fickle fate of fortune chose Babb to concede an 80th own goal when
he turned a harmless header by Whitlow into his own goal. Niall Quinn may
be forced to retire because of persistent back problems. Phillips did not
look fit to me at all. Sky spotted Adrian Heath and Peter Reid high in the
stands. Even though they had been sacked by Sunderland, they still
travelled to Bolton.
Pos. Pl. W. D. L. F-A. GD Pts
1 Liverpool 11 8 3 0 22-9 13 27
2 Arsenal 11 7 2 2 26-13 13 23
3 Chelsea 11 5 4 2 20-12 8 19
4 Man Utd 11 5 4 2 14-8 6 19
5 Spurs 11 6 1 4 17-16 1 19
6 M'brough 11 5 3 3 15-8 7 18
7 Blackburn 11 5 3 3 18-13 5 18
8 Everton 11 5 2 4 14-15 -1 17
9 Newcastle 10 5 1 4 16-15 1 16
10 So'pton 11 4 4 3 11-10 1 16
11 Fulham 11 4 3 4 16-14 2 15
12 Leeds 11 4 2 5 13-12 1 14
13 B'mingham 11 3 3 5 11-14 -3 12
14 A. Villa 11 3 2 6 7-11 -4 11
15 West Ham 11 3 2 6 10-17 -7 11
16 Man City 11 3 2 6 9-17 -8 11
17 Charlton 11 3 1 7 9-16 -7 10
18 West Brom 11 3 1 7 8-18 -10 10
19 S'derland 11 2 3 6 5-15 -10 9
20 Bolton 10 2 2 6 10-18 -8 8
