With many thanks to Brian Judson, without whom this feature would not be possible.
Saturday, March 15th, 2003
Aston Villa v Manchester United 0-1
Beckham scored the only goal of the match in the 12th minute. Scholes
played the ball to Giggs, whose centre found Beckham well placed to put
the Reds ahead. The Reds dominated the first half and Beckham should have
had a hat-trick. But in the second half, they seemed content to keep their
hosts at arm's length, conserving their energies for future matches.
Blackburn Rovers v Arsenal 2-0
The Gooners were missing a number of players and lost Keown through a
hamstring injury after 19 minutes. Duff put Blackburn ahead after 22
minutes when Parlour was caught in possession by Flitcroft, who pushed the
ball out to Gillespie. The resulting cross from Gillespie was met by Duff,
who squandered his chance. But Arsenal failed to clear the ball and Duff
did not repeat his mistake as he volleyed the ball behind Taylor. Tugay
added a second goal in the 52nd minute when Cygan dithered, allowing Tugay
to drive the ball behind Taylor.
Charlton Athletic v Newcastle United 0-2
Once upon a time, Newcastle could not win matches in London. There was
never any doubt they would win this one once Shearer put them ahead from
the penalty spot in the 33rd minute. Solano ensured the points would be
Newcastle's in the 49th minute. Newcastle had just foiled a Charlton raid
on their goal when Shearer sent Bellamy charging away upfield. Bellamy
passed the ball across the face of the Charlton goal for Solano to tap
home behind Kiely.
Everton v West Ham United 0-0
It was the Hammers who left Goodison Park as the happier of the two teams.
They had scrounged a priceless point on the day that David Moyes
celebrated one year inn charge as Everton's manager. The Hammers looked
much more positive than Everton. Even using three substitutes in the 64th
minute, including Rooney, failed to boost Everton.
Fulham v Southampton 2-2
Needing points to secure their Premiership future, Fulham allowed two
points to escape them. Saha put them ahead in the 44th minute when
Malbranque crossed from the right and Saha spun to volley the ball home.
Dodd almost scored a bizarre own goal from 25 yards when he lobbed the
ball back to Niemi, who headed the ball onto the crossbar before clearing
it. Svensson conceded an own goal in the 52nd minute when Malbranque won
the ball in midfield and slipped the ball to Saha, who tried to find
Marlet. Svensson won the race to the ball but could only divert it behind
his goalkeeper. Beattie reduced the arrears in the 81st minute when he
headed home Oakley's cross from the wing. Svensson then snatched an
improbable equaliser in the 90th minute when Niemi went up to help at a
corner for the Saints and lobed the ball forward only to see the ball hit
the post and rebound to Svensson to force the ball into the goal.
Leeds United v Middlesbrough 2-3
Yet another home defeat for Leeds, which leaves them uncomfortably close
to the relegation battle. Viduka put Leeds ahead in the 24th minute when
he swapped passes with Bakke and Schwarzer and Boateng became confused,
allowing Viduka to drive the ball into the goal. Maccarone scored from the
penalty spot in the 36th minute after Radebe had upended Maccarone.
Juninho then capped his come-back by scoring in the 45th minute when
Greening's pass presented him with the chance to volley the ball behind
Robinson. Geremi increased Middlesbrough's lead in the 64th minute when he
lifted a 25-yard shot over Robinson. The Leeds fans then began to barrack
Peter Ridsdale. But Leeds struck back when Viduka scored in the 75th
minute. Milner fired in a shot that Schwarzer spilled at Viduka's feet,
thus enabling Viduka to score.
Sunderland v Bolton Wanderers 0-2
The hosts laid on a welcoming party for new manager Mick McCarthy but the
home side slumped to their SEVENTH successive defeat. Bolton were unlucky
to reach half-time without having scored but quickly wrapped the game up
in the second half. Okocha put the Trotters ahead in the 50th minute when
Okocha left Michael Gray for dead and unleashed a shot that Sorensen had
no chance of preventing from flying into his goal. Pedersen added a second
in the 55th minute when Frandsen stepped over a pass from Djorkaeff to
give Mendy a chance to volley the ball goalwards. Sorensen blocked his
shot but Pedersen was on hand to ensure the ball went into the goal.
Sunderland are now 10 points from the safety zone and games are running
out. They look certainties to be relegated.
Sunday, March 16th, 2002
Manchester City v Birmingham City 1-0
This match was a poor advertisement for the Premiership. Both sides
struggled to string moves together. But it was Fowler who scored the
crucial goal of the match in the 72nd minute. Benarbie's cross found
Fowler unmarked and there was just enough space for him to squeeze the
ball behind Bennett, the Birmingham reserve team goalkeeper.
Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool 2-3
Read the report here, if you must!
West Bromwich Albion v Chelsea 0-2
The Baggies had already been forced to make substitutions through injury
before Stanic fired Chelsea ahead in the 38th minute. Moore, their
colossus in defence, had been carried off following a challenge by
Hasselbaink. McInnes had also limped off. The Baggies defence was thus
deprived of its key organisers when Le Saux took the corner from which
Stanic headed home. Zola ensured the points would be Chelsea's in the 56th
minute when Hasselbaink and Zola swapped passes before Zola struck the
ball beyond Hoult from the edge of the penalty area. The Baggies worked
very hard but lacked the class to compete with Chelsea.
FA Barclaycard Premiership
Pos. Pl. W. D. L. F-A. GD Pts
1 Arsenal 30 19 6 5 64-32 32 63
2 Man Utd 30 18 7 5 48-27 21 61
3 Newcastle 30 18 4 8 49-34 15 58
4 Chelsea 30 14 9 7 52-31 21 51
5 Everton 30 14 8 8 38-34 4 50
6 Liverpool 30 13 10 7 44-30 14 49
7 Blackburn 30 12 10 8 37-32 5 46
8 Charlton 30 13 6 11 39-38 1 45
9 So'pton 30 11 10 9 32-31 1 43
10 Spurs 30 12 7 11 43-43 0 43
11 M'brough 30 11 8 11 38-34 4 41
12 Man City 30 12 5 13 40-44 -4 41
13 Fulham 30 10 8 12 35-37 -2 38
14 A. Villa 30 10 5 15 31-35 -4 35
15 Leeds 30 10 4 16 37-42 -5 34
16 B'mingham 30 8 8 14 28-42 -14 32
17 Bolton 30 6 11 13 33-47 -14 29
18 West Ham 30 6 9 15 32-53 -21 27
19 West Brom 30 5 6 19 21-46 -25 21
20 S'derland 30 4 7 19 19-48 -29 19
