With many thanks to Brian Judson, without whom this feature would not be possible.
Saturday, September 14th, 2002
Bolton Wanderers v Liverpool 2-3
With Owen painfully out of form, Liverpool gave Baros his full debut. He
repaid Liverpool by scoring the first goal in the 45th minute when he
shimmied past Charlton and let fly at the ball. Gardner equalised in the
54th minute when he held off two defenders and poked the ball wide of
Dudek. Baros restored Liverpool's lead in the 72nd minute when Gerrard
picked out an unmarked Baros in the six-yard box and Baros made no mistake
from that range. Campo equalised for Bolton in the 87th minute when he
scored with a left footed shot that went in off the post. Bolton were
still celebrating saving a point when Heskey struck in the 88th minute,
when he outraced the Bolton defence to slip the ball into their goal.
Charlton Athletic v Arsenal 0-3
A host of records disappeared from the books as Arsenal effortlessly
returned to the top of the table. They have scored in their last 45
matches at least once. Henry opened the scoring when Bergkamp provided the
pass from which Henry scored with a first time shot in the 44th minute.
Wiltord added a second in the 67th minute when Vieira deceived Kiely and
left Wiltord with time to pick his spot. Edu added a third in the 88th
minute when he headed home a cross from Henry.
Chelsea v Newcastle United 3-0
Gudjohnsen put Chelsea ahead in the 14th minute when he headed home a
cross from Zenden. Zola added a second in the 26th minute when he took a
free kick and curled the ball into the net behind Given. Gudjohnsen
rounded off the Blues' romp in the 58th minute when Newcastle became
hesitant as Zola provided the pass from which the striker gratefully
scored. On this form, Newcastle look set to struggle in the League.
Everton v Middlesbrough 2-1
Nemreth put the visitors ahead in the 11th minute when Maccarone's pace
provided him with a chance to shoot. Gerrard pushed the ball out as far as
Nemeth, who turned the ball into the Everton goal. Campbell equalised for
Everton in the 32nd minute when Radzinski headed a ball onto the post and
it fell neatly for the former Arsenal striker to score. It was Campbell
who scored the winner in the 77th minute when he met Gravesen's corner to
head the ball home.
Leeds United v Manchester United 1-0
Kewell grabbed the only goal of the game in the 67th minute to spoil Rio
Ferdinand's return to Elland Road. Play had been fairly level and referee
Winter quickly stamped hard on any issues that arose between the two
sides. Beckham was lucky not to have been booked after blatantly elbowing
Bowyer. Indeed he should have been sent off. Woodgate was the key player
in the Leeds side, holding the defence together. Harte provided the centre
from which a totally unmarked Kewell headed home behind Barthez, to the
annoyance of a red-faced Ferguson on the touchline.
Sunderland v Fulham 0-3
The Stadium of Light was shrouded in gloom after Sunderland had been
comprehensively outplayed by Fulham. Inamoto put them ahead in the 34 th
minute when Hayles flicked the ball on to the Japanese international, who
scored. Hayles added a second in the 54th minute when he slotted the ball
behind Sorensen after the Japanese international had sent him clear.
Marlet round off the rout in the 78th minute when Iammoto provided the
pass from which Marlet skipped clear to score.
West Bromwich Albion v Southampton 1-0
The Baggies secured a third consecutive win to hoist themselves into the
top half of the table, something they had not experienced for a very long
time! Gregan scored the only goal of the game in the 79th minute when he
let fly at the ball, which took a wicked spin to totally deceive
Southampton keeper Jones.
Sunday, September 15th, 2002
Manchester City v Blackburn Rovers 2-2
The Sky Blues have become yet another Keegan fantasy: beautiful going
forward but horrible defending! Thompson put Blackburn ahead in the 23rd
minute when Foe lost possession to Thompson, who promptly cracked the ball
into City's goal. Cole added a second in the 54th minute when he smashed
the ball between Schmeichel's legs. But in the instant of scoring, Cole
damaged his hamstring and had to be carried off. Blackburn should have
scored twice more but were foiled by Schmeichel saving from Yorke and Berg
heading the ball on the bar. Tiatto was only on the field for 5 minutes
before he was dismissed for a terrible two footed lunge on Thompson.
Keegan will fine him two weeks wages and will give him a last warning on
his conduct. Anelka reduced the arrears in the 80th minute when Benarbia
provided the pass from which Anelka scored. Deep in injury time, Goater
snatched an improbable equaliser when Distin passed to Goater, who pulled
the game out of the fire for the hosts.
Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United 3-2
Full report available here
Monday, September 16th, 2002
Birmingham City v Aston Villa 3-0
The Blues gained their revenge on Aston Villa after returning from a
16-year exile from top flight football. They deserved to win this match as
they were the only team with ambition. In the first half, Villa set out to
defend for a point. They did not seem to have any higher ambition.
Morrison ended that hope in the 31st minute when he fastened on to a
Cunningham pass to score. Villa had to become more adventurous then but
Angel and Allback could make no headway against a Birmingham defence.
Villa sent on Vassall and Dublin after half-time and gave hope for Villa
fans. Then there was a bizarre incident when Enckleman conceded an own
goal in the 77th minute. Mellberg took a throw in and the goalkeeper, who
had performed heroics, somehow allowed the ball to trickle under his foot
as he trapped it and roll over the line. Graham Taylor remonstrated that
the goalkeeper had not touched the ball so there was a foul throw but was
overruled by the match officials. David Elleray did not, IMO, have the
best of matches but he did get this one right. Horsfield added some icing
to the cake in the 83rd minute when he took the ball off Allpay, dashed
into the area and hammered the ball beyond the hapless Villa goalkeeper.
Pos. Pl. W. D. L. F-A. GD Pts
1 Arsenal 6 4 2 0 15-6 9 14
2 Spurs 6 4 1 1 11-8 4 13
3 Leeds 6 4 0 2 10-4 6 12
4 Chelsea 6 3 3 0 13-8 5 12
5 Liverpool 6 3 3 0 13-8 5 12
6 Fulham 5 3 1 1 12-6 6 10
7 West Brom 6 3 0 3 6-9 -3 9
8 M'brough 6 2 2 2 7-5 2 8
9 B'mingham 6 2 2 2 8-7 1 8
10 Man Utd 6 2 2 2 5-5 0 8
11 Everton 6 2 2 2 7-8 -1 8
12 Man City 6 2 1 3 7-9 -2 7
13 Blackburn 6 1 3 2 7-8 -1 6
14 Bolton 5 2 0 3 6-9 -3 6
15 A. Villa 6 2 0 4 3-6 -3 6
16 Charlton 6 2 0 4 6-10 -4 6
17 So'pton 6 1 2 3 3-7 -4 5
18 S'derland 6 1 2 3 2-8 -6 5
19 Newcastle 5 1 1 3 6-8 -2 4
20 West Ham 5 0 1 4 4-12 -8 1
Cheers, Brian
