21 APRIL 2002

Arsenal (0) 2 (Ljungberg 69, 78)
Ipswich (0) 0

Arsenal return to the top of the Premiership, but only after taking over
three-quarters of the game to break through against relegation favourites
Ipswich. Freddie Ljungberg scored both goals late on, but only after the
woodwork had been struck on four occasions, with Martijn Reuser heading
against the foot of the post for Ipswich, whilst Martin Keown, Dennis Bergkamp
and Ljungberg struck wood for the hosts. The opening goal arrived when Patrick
Vieira's cross was headed down by Keown for Ljungberg to control, swivel and
fire into the bottom corner. The lead was doubled ten minutes later when Gilles
Grimandi's cross was met by the head of Ljungberg and although Andy Marshall
saved his first effort, the Swede netted the rebound with the help of his knee.


20 APRIL 2002

Chelsea (0) 0
Manchester United (2) 3 (Scholes 15, Van Nistelrooy 41, Solskjaer 86)

An early kick off put Man United temporarily top after comfortably beating a
poor Chelsea side. Paul Scholes drilled home the opener from 25 yards after Ryan
Giggs set him up from a free kick and the lead was doubled before half time when
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer played Ruud van Nistelrooy through. He then rounded
Cudicini before scoring from a tight angle. Solskjear added the third himself, a
tap in after Giggs had again turned provider.


Bolton (0) 1 (Holdsworth 73)
Tottenham (1) 1 (Iversen 8)

Bolton are practically safe from the drop after coming from behind to draw
against Spurs. Steffan Iversen, who later broke his jaw in an accidental clash,
opened the scoring after being put through by Gus Poyet and neatly rounding
Jaaskelainen before slotting home. However, sub Dean Holdsworth earned a point
when he lobbed Keller after an error by Ben Thatcher.


Leeds United (0) 0
Fulham (0) 1 (Malbranque 52)

Fulham eased their relegation fears with a superb win at Leeds, whose Champions
League hopes died at Elland Road today. Steed Malbranque scored the only goal,
fizzing a shot across the area and into the far corner after Leeds failed to
clear their lines.


Leicester (1) 2 (Izzet (pen) 25, Stephenson 67)
Aston Villa (2) 2 (Vassell 22, Hitzlesperger 29)

Already relegated Leicester twice came from behind to earn a point against
Aston Villa, although the post match headlines are likely to be dominated by
George Boateng, who appeared to throw a football boot into the direction of
a packed stand. On the field, the game burst into life with three goals in seven
minutes. Firstly, Darius Vassell put Villa ahead with a fine shot across Walker
into the far corner having been put through by Peter Crouch, however shortly
afterwards, Muzzy Izzet levelled from the penalty spot after Samuel had fouled
Marshall. Thomas Hitzlesperger then scored his first goal in English football,
beating two men being finding the bottom corner, however the points were
shared when young sub Jon Stephenson equalised after Enckelman has saved
his original effort.


Liverpool (1) 2 (Owen 16, 90)
Derby (0) 0

Liverpool took over top spot for at least a day and relegated Derby County in
the process after a battling victory at Anfield. Michael Owen netted both goals,
firstly when he battled through tackles on the edge of the area after latching
onto Smicer's flick before firing into the roof of the net, and then in stoppage
time, Derby's fate was sealed when he was sent clear by Heskey, rounded Oakes
and fired home from a tight angle.


Middlesbrough (0) 1 (Nemeth 90)
Blackburn (1) 3 (Yordi 33, Cole 74, Dunn (pen) 84)
RED CARD: Queudrue (Middlesbrough) 89

Blackburn took a major step towards Premiership safety with a terrific victory
at Middlesbrough. After a tight half an hour, Yordi put Rovers ahead with a tap
after superb work from Damien Duff. The lead was doubled when Andy Cole
stooped to head home a corner and ten minutes later David Dunn scored a
third from the penalty spot after Franck Queudrue had fouled him in the area.
The game went from bad to worse for Boro when Queudrue was sent off for
bringing down Dunn in full flow, although sub Szilard Nemeth did score a
stoppage time consolation, lobbing past Friedel from 20 yards.


Newcastle (1) 3 (Speed 22, Lua-Lua 46, Shearer 89)
Charlton (0) 0

Newcastle need just a point to guarantee Champions League football next season
after seeing off Charlton with few problems. Gary Speed headed home the opener
from a Nol Solano corner and in the first minute of the second half, Lua-Lua
doubled the lead, showing good control in the area before finding the bottom
corner - his somersault celebrations capping a terrific goal. The biggest cheer
came late on when Alan Shearer made it three, drilling in from the edge of the
area after being sent clear by Gary Speed - his 200th Premiership goal.


West Ham (1) 3 (Sinclair 28, Lomas 51, Defoe 77)
Sunderland (0) 0

West Ham continued their recent good form with a comprehensive win over
Sunderland, who themselves are back in relegation trouble. Trevor Sinclair
opened the scoring, volleying home Schemmel's cross, and early in the second
half Steve Lomas doubled the lead, sidefooting into the net after being set up
by Joe Cole and ultimately Michael Carrick. The game was beyond doubt when
Jermaine Defoe chipped in with a third, a simple header after Sinclair had
nodded his effort across goal.


Southampton (0) 0
Everton (1) 1 (Watson 41)

Everton clinched their Premiership survival with a narrow win in an uninspiring
match at St Marys against Southampton. The only goal came from right-back
Steve Watson as he latched onto a neat pass from Kevin Campbell to clip the
ball over Paul Jones and in.


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