CROATIAN SENSATIONS

Two goals a piece from debutants Stanic and Boksic get their clubs, Chelsea
and Middlesbrough, off to a great start. Arsenal fall to Sunderland after missing
a ton of chances and Charlton destroy fellow Premiership new boys Man City to
go top of the league for the first and, almost certainly, only time this
season.

20 AUGUST 2000

Man United (1) 2 (Johnsen 20, Cole 70)
Newcastle (0) 0

The Champions start their defence of the crown with a Championship display 
as they swept Newcastle aside at Old Trafford. Man of the match Shay Given 
made a brilliant save, tipping over Jaap Stam`s thumping header, but from 
the resulting corner, Ronny Johnsen was left unmarked and powered his 
header home, although again Given got fingertips to the ball. United 
dominated the game and were unlucky not to go further ahead on a number of 
occasions, notably a crashing volley from Giggs that struck the foot of the 
post and a stunning first time cross shot from Beckham that was arrowing 
into the bottom corner before Given tipped it wide. Dabizas almost headed 
into his own net, Given again saving well, before Andy Cole wrapped the 
points up. He cut inside from the left, found Giggs who played the ball 
back to him. His firmly struck shot beat Given with ease and the result was 
beyond doubt.

Gary Dowden
Chief Editor - Soccerage (UK)
http://www.soccerage.com
gary@soccerage.com


19 AUGUST 2000

CHARLTON			4-0			MAN CITY
Hunt 10
Robinson 42
Kinsella 72
Stuart 80 (Pen)

Hunt gave Charlton the perfect start with a well taken goal from Jensen's
through pass. Weaver followed up a good save from the luckless Lisbie by
slicing Robinson's shot into his own net. Kinsella curled in a third and then
won the penalty from which Stuart completed the rout.

Man City didn't turn up. They appeared to have been hit by stage fright.
Charlton could have scored eight. Lisbie wasted several good chances but had
a good game overall.

Attendance : 20,043


CHELSEA			4-2			WEST HAM
Hasselbaink 31 (Pen)					Di Canio 48
Zola 59							Kanoute 85
Stanic 78, 90

Chelsea were awarded a penalty following a clumsy challenge by Hislop on
Hasselbaink. The Dutchman violently converted from the spot. Di Canio
beautifully brought down Kanoute's cross with his knee and swept the ball past
De Goeij. Zola curled in a free kick. Stanic flicked up a pass from Wise,
juggled the ball off his knee then onto his foot before unleashing a fabulous
25 yard volley past Hislop. I know it's early days but it has to be a
candidate for goal of the season. Kanoute headed in Di Canio's cross but
Stanic put paid to any hopes of a comeback with another header, from
Di Matteo's free kick.

Attendance : 34,914


COVENTRY			1-3			MIDDLESBROUGH
Eustace 41						Job 20
							Boksic 59, 62

Job gave Boro the lead with a diving header from Boksic's cross. Eustace
headed in Thompson's free kick. Boksic had a goal disallowed for no reason
whatsoever but still grabbed two goals, converting at the second attempt
after Hedman saved his initial shot and then beautifully lifted the ball over
Hedman after Pallister played him in! Thompson was sent off for a foul
from behind on Ince.

Attendance : 20,642


DERBY				2-3			SOUTHAMPTON
Strupar 32						Kachloul 15,22
Burton 49

Kachloul and Davies combined to give the Saints a two goal lead. Strupar
pulled one back with a fantastic free kick. Eranio brilliantly killed a long
ball, touched the ball outside Bridge and whipped in a beautiful cross
which was met by Burton at the far post. Kachloul wasted a late chance to
win the match with a sloppy finish.

Attendance : 27,223


LEEDS				2-0			EVERTON
Smith 16, 37

Two headed goals from Smith won the match, the first from Bridges' cross and
the second a tap-in (nod in?) after Gerrard spilled Harte's spectacular
volley.

Attendance : 40,010


LEICESTER			0-0			ASTON VILLA

Ginola was booked for diving. James made a fantastic save from Akinbiyi.

Attendance : 21,455


LIVERPOOL			1-0			BRADFORD
Heskey 67

Westerveld made an excellent save to deny Hopkin. Clark did even better from
two Gerard efforts. Heskey spun off Nolan before blasting a shot into the
roof for the net.

Attendance : 44,183


SUNDERLAND			1-0			ARSENAL
Quinn 53

Sunderland should have been awarded a penalty when Silvinho handled in the
box under pressure from Quinn. Parlour made two horrific misses, first
falling over his feet when trying to meet Henry's centre and then spooning
over a rebound after Vieira literally ran through the home team.

Quinn headed in Gray's cross when Seamen came out and got nowhere near the
ball. Arsenal continued to waste chances. 'Macho macho man, I've got to be a
macho man' sorry got carried away there, on for Sorensen, made a fantastic
save with his feet from Henry. Viera was sent off for elbowing Williams. Varga
had a great game for Sunderland in defence.

Red Cards : Viera 90 (Arsenal)
Attendance : 46,347


TOTTENHAM			3-1			IPSWICH
Anderton 30 (Pen)					Venus 9
Carr 31
Ferdinand 82

Venus gave Ipswich the lead via a deflected free kick. Wright continued his
habit of giving away penalties when he brought down Carr. Anderton converted.
Carr played a one-two with Rebrov, continued his run into the box and scored
from a tight angle. Les Ferdinand, back from a series of injuries, added a
third with a trademark bullet header from Anderton's cross. It's a shame Carr
isn't English.

Attendance : 36,148