3 MARCH 2002

Everton (0) 0
Leeds United (0) 0
RED CARD: Matteo (Leeds) 39

Not the best game of the season, not helped by the sending off of former
Liverpool star Dominic Matteo late in the first half. The Leeds defender was
shown a second card for a foul on Kevin Campbell. Both clubs had chances,
notably Everton, but a point not much use to either side.


Derby (1) 2 (Christie 8, 77)
Man United (1) 2 (Scholes 40, Veron 63)

Dramatic action at Pride Park as both clubs lost the lead in a thrilling match.
Derby took the lead early when Malcolm Christie volleyed home from close
range after Ravanelli and Ronny Johnsen helped the ball on between them.
United then dominated until Paul Scholes finally found the net, smashing the
ball into the net after Van Nistelrooy had sent Giggs away on the left. The
Premiership leaders hit the woodwork three times before Juan Sebastian
Veron bundled his way through two tackles and fired into the net from the
edge of the area. Derby equalised completely out of the blue as Luciano
Zavango crossed from the left for Christie to convert at the near post. Christie
netted again in stoppage time, but the referee judged that he had bundled
the ball out of Fabien Barthez's hands after the French keeper had spilled a
shot from Branko Strupar.


2 MARCH 2002

Aston Villa (1) 2 (Angel 22, Vassell 90)
West Ham (1) 1 (Di Canio (pen) 13)

Villa left it late to earn boss Graham Taylor his first victory since his
re-instatement as manager. It started badly for the hosts when Olaf Mellberg
fouled Jermaine Defoe in the area and Paolo di Canio slotted home the penalty
with his usual cool head. Within ten minutes, Villa were level when Juan Pablo
Angel headed home a deep cross from Gareth Barry, although keeper David
James did get a hand to the effort. In stoppage time, J.Lloyd Samuel made good
progress down the left and his near post cross was dispatched neatly by Darius
Vassell.


Bolton (1) 1 (Wallace 44)
Blackburn (0) 1 (Jansen 69)
RED CARD: Cole (Blackburn) 19

A local derby and a relegation battle which ended all square, but only after a
game full of drama. Blackburn were reduced to ten men within twenty minutes
when Andy Cole reacted angrily having been caught by a tackle from Mike
Whitlow, and promptly introduced his studs to the thigh of the Bolton defender.
The home side then took the lead on half time when Freddie Bobic's header led
to Henning Berg underhitting his back pass and allowing Rod Wallace in to
score. Rovers earned a deserved point in the second half when Matt Jansen
crashed home a fine volley after controlling David Dunn's cross well.


Charlton (0) 2 (Euell 72, 87)
Chelsea (0) 1 (Lampard 83)

Chelsea's Champions League hopes took a severe bashing at the hands of
Charlton, who completed the double over their London rivals. All the goals
came in a frantic last twenty minutes and was started when Matt Svensson's
header found Jason Euell on the edge of the box and his volley found the
bottom corner perfectly. Ten minutes later, Chelsea were level when Graeme
Le Saux's cross was headed back by Gudjohnsen, helped on by Hasselbaink
and crashed home by Frank Lampard. Charlton clinched the points when Euell
was put through and calmly lobbed Carlo Cudicini.


Fulham (0) 0
Liverpool (1) 2 (Anelka 14, Litmanen 90)

Liverpool kept the pressure on Man United at the top, but the victory was not
secured until the final minute. Nik Anelka opened the scoring early on when he
fired into the corner after his original shot was blocked by Rufus Brevett.
Fulham came close on a number of occasions before Abel Xavier's long clearance
looked to be heading for home keeper Edwin van der Sar, who had come
40 yards off his line to collect, however Jari Litmanen got a head to the ball,
ran on and slotted into an empty net from an acute angle.


Ipswich (0) 1 (Finidi 81)
Southampton (0) 3 (Delap 51, Ormerod 60, Marsden 88)

Southampton eased their relegation fears whilst increasing those of Ipswich
after a fine win at Portman Rd. Rory Delap opened the scoring early in the
second half when his free kick clipped Marcus Stewart before finding the net.
Brett Ormerod doubled matters shortly afterwards as he was sent clear before
clipping neatly past Andy Marshall. Finidi George gave Ipswich late hope when
his effort just crossed the line after a scramble from a corner, however the win
was confirmed when Chris Marsden scored a delightful solo goal, beating four
men as he ran in from the left, rounded the keeper and rolled the ball home.


Middlesbrough (1) 1 (Sinclair (og) 3)
Leicester (0) 0

Leicester, bottom of the table with just 18 league goals this season, lost at
Middlesbrough thanks to an own goal by which others will be judged! Frank
Sinclair, complete on his own 35 yards from his goal, fired a back pass to
keeper Ian Walker, however as he struck the ball, it took a bobble and sailed
wide of the former Spurs stopper and nestled sweetly into the corner! Sinclair
is rumoured to be playing centre forward for the next game!


Newcastle (0) 0
Arsenal (2) 2 (Bergkamp 11, Campbell 41)

Dennis Bergkamp helped Arsenal into second place after a fine performance at
fellow title hopefuls Newcastle. The flying Dutchman gave Arsenal the lead when
he collected a pass from Robert Pires, produced a sublime flick to beat Dabizas
before calmly slotting home. Just before half time, his free kick on the right
was met by the head of Sol Campbell who crashed the ball past Given.


Tottenham (1) 2 (Poyet 32, Ferdinand 66)
Sunderland (1) 1 (Mboma 45)

Spurs banished their Worthington Cup blues with a narrow win against
Sunderland. Gus Poyet gave the home side the lead from close range after
the visitors failed to clear a corner, however on half time, Patrick Mboma
marked his full debut with a goal, firing home at the near post. Midway
through the second half, Sheringham and Ziege combined well to set up
Les Ferdinand with a tap in to an empty net.


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