18 DECEMBER 2000

Spurs (1) 1 (Rebrov 31)
Arsenal (0) 1 (Vieira 89)

Honours even in the north London derby at a rain soaked White Hart
Lane after Arsenal grabbed a well deserved late equaliser. Spurs
took the lead when Stephen Carr's cross was half cleared to Stephen
Clemence. His header back found Anderton on the edge of the box
whose fierce shot was parried away by Manninger only for Rebrov to
head the rebound firmly into the ground and into the roof of the
net. Arsenal created and wasted a number of chances in the second
half, largely due to the brilliance of Spurs keeper Neil Sullivan.
Their persistance paid off when a late Silvinho corner was met by
the head of sub Patrik Vieira and the ball bobbled into the far
corner.


17 DECEMBER 2000

Man United (0) 0
Liverpool (1) 1 (Murphy 43)
RED CARD : Chadwick (Man Utd) 88

A free kick just before half time gave Liverpool their first victory
at Old Trafford in ten years and condemned United to their first
home defeat in two years. Danny Murphy struck the important goal
when he curled the ball firmly around the wall and neatly into the
bottom corner. United's misery was complete when sub Luke Chadwick
was sent off for a professional foul on Vladimir Smicer near the end
as the Liverpool man broke away on goal. Arsenal will go within
three points of Utd if they win the North London derby at Spurs
tomorrow.


16 DECEMBER 2000

Aston Villa (0) 2 (Dublin 72, Ginola 87)
Manchester City (0) 2 (Haaland 64, Wanchope 74)
RED CARD : Hendrie (Villa) 80

A typical game of two halves saw honours end even at Villa Park. A
drab first half was followed by a dramatic second half as City twice
went ahead only to be pegged back on both occasions. Alfie Haaland
opened the scoring, firing home after good work from Shaun
Wright-Phillips and Paulo Wanchope. Dion Dublin levelled matters
with a glancing header from Ginola's cross, however within two
minutes, the lead was restored when Wanchope was on hand to score
after James had only partially saved Kennedy's fine shot. It looked
bad for Villa when Lee Hendrie was sent off for the second time this
season, this time for abusive language after feeling that he'd been
denied a penalty. However enter David Ginola who fired home his
first goal for Villa with a fine volley from 25 yards that gave
Weaver no chance.


Derby (1) 1 (Christie 7)
Coventry (0) 0

Derby move out of the bottom three and are replaced there by
Coventry, the team that they beat today. The only goal of a poor
game came early on when Malcolm Christie was on hand to tap home
after Hedman could only parry Craig Burley's shot.


Everton (0) 1 (Cadamarteri 75)
West Ham (0) 1 (Kanuote 84)

Honours even at Goodison Park in another game that took a while to
get going. Danny Cadamarteri gave the game a kick start with fifteen
minutes left when he headed in from almost on the line from Steve
Watson's goalbound header. Frederik Kanoute salvaged a point for the
Hammers when Watson turned to villian when he was dispossed on the
edge of the area, allowing the Frenchman to fire home. In stoppage
time, Paolo Di Canio received a standing ovation when he caught a
cross with his hands, allowing injured keeper Paul Gerrard to get
treatment when he could have easily slotted the ball into an empty
net.


Ipswich (0) 3 (Scowcroft 48, Armstrong 50, 89)
Southampton (1) 1 (Beattie 3)

Ipswich move within a point of second placed Arsenal who play on
Monday having produced a fine second half comeback to see off an
impressive Southampton. James Beattie continued his remarkable
scoring streak after just three minutes, heading home a Marion
Pahars cross. The second half saw a difference though as Ipswich
took five minutes to turn the game upside down. Firstly James
Scowcroft levelled the scores, touching home Magilton's free kick
and then Alun Armstrong, a recent signing from Middlesbrough, headed
home the second from a corner, although it seemed to go in off both
defender Wayne Bridge and keeper Paul Jones. Armstrong completed the
victory late on, shooting home a Magilton cut back, again the ball
going in via Bridge and Jones!


Leeds United (1) 2 (Bowyer 23, Viduka 78)
Sunderland (0) 0

A league victory at last for Leeds after three defeats in their last
four games. They rarely looked in serious danger in a fiery game
against Sunderland and once Lee Bowyer fired home after Smith and
Viduka exchanged passes, the result was not in doubt, however a
slice from Jody Craddock in the build up helped matters
considerably. Mark Viduka confirmed the victory late on and put
himself top of the scoring charts, when he headed home Kewell's
cross.


Leicester (1) 3 (Akinbiyi 35, Elliott 79, Gunlaugsson 90)
Charlton (1) 1 (Johansson 5)

Leicester consolidate fourth position, but like Ipswich, had to come
from behind to see off Charlton. Jonaton Johansson opened the
scoring early on, smashing home Graham Stuart's through ball. The
lead lasted half an hour when Ade Akinbiyi equalised when he
converted Gary Rowett's cross, however Leicester had to wait until
late to clinch the points. Matty Elliott put the hosts ahead,
heading home a Stefan Oakes corner and in the final minute Arnur
Gunlaugsson latched onto a weak header from Steve Brown to lift the
ball over Kiely and in.


Middlesbrough (0) 1 (Gordon 71)
Chelsea (0) 0

Victory at last for Middlesbrough, their first home win since March,
as they saw off Chelsea in a poor encounter. Quality will not worry
Boro and their fans though, neither will the fact that the winning
goal was lucky to say the least. Sub Dean Gordon attempted a
speculative long range effort from Noel Whelan's pass and it took a
wicked deflection off Melchiot before nestling sweetly into the
corner. Chelsea are still without an away win since April as
Middlesbrough lift themselves off the bottom.


Newcastle (1) 2 (Speed 12, Dyer 70)
Bradford (0) 1 (Molenaar 83)

Bottom place is now occupied by Bradford who were given little
change from Newcastle once Gary Speed had opened the scoring. The
former Everton man smashed home Barton's cross from the edge of the
area that flew in via the underside of the bar. Kieron Dyer doubled
the lead when he shot over the keeper after Shearer had flicked on
Given's route one kick and although Robert Molenaar pulled a late
goal back, heading home a Beagrie cross, the points were always
going to Newcastle.


Gary Dowden
Chief Editor - Soccerage (UK)
http://www.soccerage.com
garydowden@blueyonder.co.uk