With many thanks to Brian Judson, without whom this feature would not be possible.
Saturday, October 4th, 2003
Fulham v Leicester City 2-0
Boa Morte grabbed two goals to push Leicester towards the trapdoor to the
Nationwide Football League. His first goal in the 36th minute after
Malbranque and Clark had swapped passes before Boa Morte scored from six
yards. Boa Morte's second goal in the 73rd minute when Malbranque put him
through. Rogers blocked Boa Morte's first shot but Walker could do nothing
about the second shot. Leicester look to have a long winter's struggle
ahead of them.
Leeds United v Blackburn Rovers 2-1
After a week if torrid headlines, Johnson scored in the 11th minute to put
Leeds ahead. Pennant forced the ball to Viduka, whose shot was spilled by
Friedel into Johnson's path. Johnson added a second goal in the 27th
minute when Batty provided the pass from which Johnson scored. Dino di
Baggio scored a late consolation goal for Blackburn in the 86th minute.
Liverpool v Arsenal 1-2
Kewall put Liverpool ahead in the 14th minute when Riise's centre was
partly cleared by Edu but rebounded off Owen to Kewell, who unleashed a
shot from 18 yards into the bottom of Arsenal's goal. But disaster struck
Liverpool when Hyypia conceded an own goal in the 31st minute when Pires
took a free-kick, Edu got a touch to it but the ball was going wide until
it hit Hyypia and flew behind Dudek. Pires grabbed the winner for the
Londoners in the 68th minute when he took advantage of hesitation in the
Liverpool defence to curl the ball behind Dudek.
Manchester United v Birmingham City 3-0
The age-old debate on whether the Old Trafford crowds inhibit the referee
raised its head again when Maik Taylor was dismissed for a foul in exactly
the same kind of movement Raimond van den Gouw was only booked a couple of
years ago. Birmingham had looked to be making a contest of it up to that
moment. But the moment when Taylor bowled van Nistelrooy over was the
pivotal position. The Dutchman rose to take the penalty in the 36th minute
and made no mistake. Midway through the second half, Scholes added a
second in the 57th minute when he scored with a low drilling shot from
some way out. Giggs added a third in the 82nd minute when Forlan slipped
the ball to him to tap home.
Newcastle United v Southampton 1-0
Shearer scored the only goal of the match just before half-time in the
44th minute. Jenas rolled the ball into Shearer's path and the majestic
striker scored the 250th goal of his career. He is now one goal behind Len
White in the all time Newcastle goalscorers. Niemi denied Shearer on
several other occasions to add to his total.
Portsmouth v Charlton Athletic 1-2
Sheringham put Pompey ahead in the 34th minute when he headed home a
Sherwood corner. Just when it looked as if that was going to be enough,
Fortune popped up in the 77th minute to stab the ball home from a long
throw by Stuart. Right at the death, Bartlett struck in the 90th minute
when he headed home Di Canio's corner.
Tottenham Hotspur v Everton 3-0
Read the full report here
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester City 1-0
Cameron scored the only goal of the game in the 75th minute as Wolves
finally claimed their first Premiership scalp. He rose to head a ball from
Camara that left Seaman floundering in his goal. The Sky Blues were
toothless as Keegan raged in impotent fury on the touchline.
Sunday, October 5th, 2003
Aston Villa v Bolton Wanderers 1-1
The Villa should have won the match easily. Bolton came with the express
aim of taking ONE point back to Bolton.. Nolan put them ahead in the 46th
minute when Charlton's long ball forward was diverted by Davies into
Nolan's path. Nolan unleashed a shot that Postma could not hold. It was
Bolton's first goal on their away travels this season. Angel equalised for
Villa in the 58th minute when he finished off a three man move that also
involved Hendrie and Barry. From that point on, Villa should have gone on
to win but wasted their chances, particularly Angel.
Middlesbrough v Chelsea 1-2
Gudjohnsen put Chelsea ahead in the 17th minute when he was put clear by
Lampard. He feinted to shoot one way but actually aimed in the opposite
direction to completely bamboozle Schwarzer. Nemeth equalised in the 46th
minute when Mendieta's pass unhinged a retreating Chelsea defence that
left Cudicini devoid of cover. Middlesbrough should have gone on to win
the match but Crespo popped up in the 88th minute to score when he headed
home Duff's cross.
Cheers, Brian
FA Barclaycard Premiership
Pos. Pl. W. D. L. F-A. GD Pts
1 Arsenal 8 6 2 0 16-6 10 20
2 Man Utd 8 6 1 1 16-3 13 19
3 Chelsea 7 6 1 0 18-7 11 19
4 Fulham 7 4 2 1 15-9 6 14
5 B'mingham 7 4 2 1 8-5 3 14
6 Man City 8 3 3 2 14-9 5 12
7 So'pton 8 3 3 2 8-5 3 12
8 Liverpool 8 3 2 3 12-9 3 11
9 Charlton 8 3 2 3 12-12 0 11
10 P'tsmouth 8 2 3 3 10-9 1 9
11 Blackburn 8 2 2 4 15-16 -1 8
12 Everton 8 2 2 4 12-14 -2 8
13 A. Villa 8 2 2 4 8-12 -4 8
14 Spurs 8 2 2 4 8-12 -4 8
15 Bolton 8 1 5 2 6-12 -6 8
16 Leeds 8 2 2 4 8-17 -9 8
17 M'brough 8 2 1 5 7-14 -7 7
18 Newcastle 7 1 3 3 8-10 -2 6
19 L'cester 8 1 2 5 10-15 -5 5
20 Wolves 8 1 2 5 3-18 -15 5
