16 DECEMBER 2001

Chelsea (2) 4 (Le Saux 3, Hasselbaink 28, Dalla Bona 71, Gudjohnsen 90)
Liverpool (0) 0
MISS PEN : McAllister (Liverpool) 52

League leaders Liverpool were crushed at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea
spolit the top of the table wide open again. The hosts stormed into
an early lead when Graeme Le Saux took Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's
cross on his chest and although Dudek tipped his original shot onto
the post, the left back was on hand to tap the rebound into an empty
net. Provider turned scored later in the first half when Eidur
Gudjohnsen sent Hasselbaink through, the Dutchman coolly taking his
time to wait for Dudek to go to ground before clipping into the top
of the net.  Liverpool began the second half well and were awarded a
penalty when Mario Melchiot tripped John Arne Riise, however Gary
McAllister's side-footed spot kick was brilliantly saved by Carlo
Cudicini. It proved costly as Chelsea then added a third after Sam
Dalla Bona prodded home from close range after Frank Lampard's shot
was blocked by Jamie Carragher. In stoppage time, Chelsea provided
the grande finale as sub Gianfranco Zola broke down the right, his
cross found Gudjohnsen whose first effort was saved by Dudek,
however he latched onto the rebound and crashed it home.


Leeds United (1) 2 (Kewell 7, Viduka 59)
Leicester (0) 2 (Deane 78, Scowcroft 88)

Leeds blew a two goal lead, and the chance to go second, against
lowly Leicester who deserve full credit for battling back for a
point. Harry Kewell put Leeds ahead early on, capitalising on Mark
Viduka's backheel to crash home from the edge of the area. The lead
was doubled on the hour when Viduka bobbled home Gary Kelly's cross
and the game looked over. However, Leicester had hope when ex-Leeds
striker Brian Deane tapped home Callum Davidson's far post cross and
then with time running out, James Scowcroft collected Muzzy Izzet's
cross to fire sweetly past Nigel Martyn.


15 DECEMBER 2001

Bolton (0) 0
Charlton (0) 0

Bolton's poor home form continues with an uneventful goalless draw
against Charlton, leaving both clubs in mid-table. Bolton came
closest when Michael Ricketts hit the bar, whilst Charlton were
denied by home keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen, who saved well by Kevin
Lisbie and Claus Jensen.


Everton (0) 1 (Max-Moore 77)
Derby (0) 0

Derby have still won just one point on the road this season after
being completely outplayed at Goodison Park. Everton's lack of
firepower remains evident though and they had to wait until the last
13 minutes to finally make the breakthrough, as American Joe
Max-Moore scored his first goal in 33 games, heading in at the far
post after a long throw by Steve Watson caused chaos at the back for
Derby.


Middlesbrough (0) 0
Manchester United (0) 1 (Van Nistelrooy 73)

Man United also left it late in a drab encounter against
Middlesbrough which only really came to life when Ryan Giggs came
off the bench after injury. It was the Welshman's run and cross shot
which was only half saved by Mark Crossley which led to the only
goal, Ruud Van Nistelrooy firing into the inviting net.


Newcastle (0) 2 (Bernard 64, Speed 70)
Blackburn (1) 1 (Dunn 34)

Newcastle move into third after coming from behind to beat
Blackburn. David Dunn gave the visitors the lead against the run of
play, bundling the ball home after Tugay's shot had been tipped onto
the bar by Shay Given. A rare goal from Olivier Bernard levelled
matters, collecting a pass from Solano on the edge of the box and
firing into the bottom corner and just six minutes later, a far post
header from Gary Speed found the net, although it's debatable
whether the effort, from a cross by Elliott, was an attempt at goal
or an attempt to head the ball back across goal. They all count
though.


Southampton (1) 2 (Craddock (og) 42, Pahars 66)
Sunderland (0) 0

Two contrasting goals sent Sunderland spiralling to defeat at
Southampton, whose home curse appears to be well and truly lifted.
Jody Craddock made an impact on his return from injury, turning a
cross from Chris Marsden past his own keeper and in off the
crossbar. The win was secured when Marion Pahars collected a long
ball by Svensson and unleashed an unstoppable drive past Sorensen
from the edge of the area.


Tottenham (2) 4 (Ferdinand 22, Anderton 42, Davies 71, Rebrov 79)
Fulham (0) 0

Spurs made it ten goals in two games as Fulham were well at truly
swept aside at White Hart Lane. Les Ferdinand scored the opening
goal - and the 10,000th goal since the Premiership began back in
August 1992 - tapping in Darren Anderton's cross from close range.
Just before half time, Anderton doubled the lead, firing home from
the edge of the box with Ferdinand turning provider with a neat cut
back. After a second half Fulham onslaught, Spurs clinched the
points, firstly when Simon Davies scored from the edge of the box
after beating two defenders from Anderton's through ball and then
sub Sergei Rebrov ran onto a through ball from Teddy Sheringham
before dispatching it neatly past Van Der Sar.


West Ham (1) 1 (Kanoute 36)
Arsenal (1) 1 (Cole 38)

Two goals in three minutes earned the clubs a share of the points at
Upton Park, although Arsenal will be disappointed to have lost the
chance to gain ground on Liverpool. Freddie Kanoute put the Hammers
ahead, volleying home crisply from Schemmel's cross, however the
home fans barely had time to enjoy the lead when Ashley Cole made it
1-1 at the far post after Henry had helped on Lauren's cross.


Gary Dowden
Chief Editor SoccerAge UK
http://www.soccerage.com
gary@soccerage.com
garydowden@blueyonder.co.uk