With many thanks to Brian Judson, without whom this feature would not be possible.
Saturday, November 2nd, 2002
Birmingham City v Bolton Wanderers 3-1
Furse had made critical interventions to prevent Bolton from scoring
before he turned goalscorer himself in the 61st minute. Devlin took a
corner, Savage pushed it on to Furse, who forced the ball home. Okocha
equalised in the 72nd minute when he volleyed home a cross from Whitlow.
The cheers had not quite died away when Savage had fired the hosts ahead
again within 30 seconds or so. Devlin put Savage through and the Welsh
international eluded Jaaskelainen to score. Horsfield added a third in the
83rd minute when he caught a rebound from the crossbar to tap the ball
home.
Liverpool v West Ham United 2-0
The Hammers plunged back into trouble as a result of their spineless
defeat at Anfield. Admittedly they were without Di Canio. Owen scored the
first goal in the 28th minute when Carragher pit him through and he
wriggled past three defenders before scoring. The Hammers should have
equalised soon afterwards but Defoe could only head Lomas's cross over the
bar. In the second half, Owen put Liverpool further ahead in the 55th
minute when Hyypia chipped the ball forward to Owen, who seemed to slice
his shot but the ball eluded James and rolled into the goal.
Manchester United v Southampton 2-1
Scholes and van Nistelrooy combined to provide Phil Neville with the
chance to score his first goal of the season in the 15th minute. But the
Saints struck back when Fernandes unleashed a shot in the 18th minute that
Barthez could not prevent from billowing his net. Forlan broke the Saints
hearts when he fired the hosts ahead in the 85th minute when Scholes
tapped a free-kick to Forlan, some 25 yards out, and the ball bulletted
into the net.
West Bromwich Albion v Manchester City 1-2
Sun Jihai cleared a long ball out of defence. Berkovic raced to the goal
line. He slipped past Moore and chipped in a centre and Anelka had only to
tap the ball home in the 51st minute. But Berkovic was responsible for the
Baggie's equaliser when he broke from the wall at a free-kick early and
the wall was forced to concede a further 10 yards. Clement rifled home the
free-kick in the 62nd minute. But the visitors had the final word when
Goater scored the winner in the 71st minute from a Berkovic centre.
Sunday, November 3rd, 2002
Blackburn Rovers v Aston Villa 0-0
Aston Villa have only scored 7 goals this season so far and it was quite
easy to see why this is the case. In the 75th minute, Dublin was presented
with an open goal that required just the merest of tap-ins and he missed
from point blank range! Villa look destined to fight a relegation battle
if they don't find someone who can score goals. It was Enckleman who saved
Villa though as they were battered by Blackburn, who were cock-a-hoop
after providing most of the football against Celtic on Thursday evening.
Charlton Athletic v Sunderland 1-1
Flo put the visitors ahead in the 15th minute when Thirlwell and McCann
created the opportunity for Flo to score from a rebound. Sunderland might
have gone further ahead shortly afterwards when Parker blocked a shot from
Phillips on the goal line. Rowett equalised for Charlton in the 77th
minute when he slid 10 yards to stab the ball home as Euell's shot
threatened to go wide. Both sides had opportunities to win the game but
Kiely prevented Flo from scoring and Sunderland scrambled a Lisbie shot
off the line in the nick of time.
Fulham v Arsenal 0-1
Arsenal ended their patchy run when Marlet conceded an own goal in the
31st minute. Henry took a corner and the ball was deflected off Marlet
into his own goal. Fulham had their chances and often had the Gunners
reeling but they did not get the break they desperately needed. Fulham, in
fact, should have had a 9th minute penalty when Campbell blatantly upended
Boa Morte.
Leeds United v Everton 0-1
Rooney scored the only goal of the game in the 80th minute. He picked up
the ball in midfield, leave Bakke and Radebe in his wake. Robinson had no
chance to block his shot. The Elland Road supporters chanted for David
Batty to come on. He does not currently feature in Venables' plans and has
been told to look for new employers but Batty is defiant and intends to
play out his contract with Leeds.
Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea 0-0
Full report available here
Monday, November 4th, 2002
Newcastle United v Middlesbrough 2-0
The visitors were unlucky to lose as they were the better side for
much of the game. Newcastle took the lead against the run of play
when Speed found Ameobi in the 20th minute. Ameobi tried to flick the ball
on to Solano, who was better placed, but the ball came off his left foot
and flew into Middlesbrough's goal. That upset Middlesbrough as they had
been denied penalties when Maccarone and Ehiogu had been fouled in the
Magpies penalty area. Caldwell added a second in the 87th minute when
Schwarzer fumbled a Newcastle corner and the ball flew Caldwell's path for
him to rifle the ball home. Quendrue was sent off in injury time after two
yellow cards.
Pos. Pl. W. D. L. F-A. GD Pts
1 Liverpool 12 9 3 0 24-9 15 30
2 Arsenal 12 8 2 2 27-13 14 26
3 Man Utd 12 6 4 2 16-9 7 22
4 Chelsea 12 5 5 2 20-12 8 20
5 Spurs 12 6 2 4 17-16 1 20
6 Everton 12 6 2 4 15-15 0 20
7 Blackburn 12 5 4 3 18-13 5 19
8 Newcastle 11 6 1 4 18-15 3 19
9 M'brough 12 5 3 4 15-10 5 18
10 So'pton 12 4 4 4 12-12 0 16
11 Fulham 12 4 3 5 16-15 1 15
12 B'mingham 12 4 3 5 14-15 -1 15
13 Leeds 12 4 2 6 13-13 0 14
14 Man City 12 4 2 6 11-18 -7 14
15 A. Villa 12 3 3 6 7-11 -4 12
16 Charlton 12 3 2 7 10-17 -7 11
17 West Ham 12 3 2 7 10-19 -9 11
18 S'derland 12 2 4 6 6-16 -10 10
19 West Brom 12 3 1 8 9-20 -11 10
20 Bolton 11 2 2 7 11-21 -10 8
