PREMIERSHIP ROUND 24
 
19 January 2003

Arsenal (1) 3 (Henry (pen) 14, 70, 86)
West Ham (1) 1 (Defoe 40)
RED CARD: Lomas (West Ham) 13

A controversial hat-trick from Thierry Henry kept Arsenal five points clear at
the top of the Premiership as West Ham were condemned to the foot of the table.
Arsenal took the lead in disputed fashion when Robert Pires fell in the area
having been tugged back by Steve Lomas, however the Irishman was judged to
have been the last defender and was duly sent off, leaving Henry to send
David James the wrong way from the spot. The hosts dominated against ten
men, but an under-hit back pass by Edu was intercepted by Jermaine Defoe
who slotted home coolly to send the Hammers in level at half time. Henry struck
again with twenty minutes to go as he headed home a deep cross from Dennis
Bergkamp, however the Dutchman appeared to catch Lee Bowyer in the face
with his arm as he prepared to send the ball in for Henry to net what I believe
is his first ever HEADED goal in the Premiership. Nothing controversial about the
third goal though as the champions broke swiftly through Pires who sent Henry
through, his finish was emphatic as James came off his line.


Fulham (1) 1 (Davis 39)
Middlesbrough (0) 0

Fulham eased their relegation concerns with a narrow, but deserved, victory over
Middlesbrough, who've not even scored away from home since the end of
September. The only goal came late in the first half when Sean Davis latched
onto a through ball from Sylvain Legwinski and provided a superb finish with the
outside of his right foot.


18 January 2003

Man United (1) 2 (Scholes 39, Forlan 90)
Chelsea (1) 1 (Gudjohnsen 30)

Manchester United kept up the pressure on Arsenal with another Old Trafford
late show, this time at the expense of third placed Chelsea. The Londoners
took the lead when Emmanuel Petit threaded a delightful through ball for Eidur
Gudjohnsen, allowing the Icelandic star to clip past Fabien Barthez. United
levelled within ten minutes when Carlo Cudicini's clearance fell to David
Beckham whose cross was perfect for Paul Scholes to head powerfully home. With
the game looking destined for a draw, two United subs combined in the final
minute of stoppage time to win the game as Juan Veron chipped into the area for
Diego Forlan to crash a fierce volley into the top corner.


Aston Villa (0) 0
Spurs (0) 1 (Sheringham 69)

Spurs won at Aston Villa for the first time in Premiership history thanks to a
second half strike from Teddy Sheringham. Stephen Carr was the provider with a
fine cross which the striker volleyed into the far corner of the net.


Blackburn (1) 1 (Duff 19)
Birmingham (0) 1 (John 83)
RED CARD: Todd (Blackburn) 28

Honours even at Ewood Park as ten men Blackburn just failed to hold onto a
slender lead against Birmingham. The hosts went ahead when Damien Duff
bundled in an Andy Cole cross, however they were reduced to ten men shortly
afterwards when Andy Todd took exception to Christophe Dugarry and kicked
him in the back whilst he lay on the floor. The visitors earned a point late on
when Stern John headed in a Stan Lazaridis cross.


Charlton (0) 1 (Fish 47)
Bolton (0) 1 (Djorkaeff 85)

All square at the Valley as well as a superb late goal from Youri Djorkaeff
earned Bolton a point at Charlton. Former Trotter Mark Fish chose an ideal
occasion to score his first Charlton goal as he shot through a crowd of players
to find the net via the post, however with time running out, Djorkaeff
controlled the ball on his chest and then unleashed a wonderful overhead kick
which found the back of the net.


Everton (0) 2 (McBride 51, 57)
Sunderland (1) 1 (Kilbane 34)

Everton's American star Brian McBride was the hero as he scored twice for his
side to come from behind to beat Sunderland. The visitors took the lead when
Kevin Phillips found Kevin Kilbane overlapping on the left and his shot found
the far corner perfectly. Early in the second half, McBride struck twice in six
minutes, firstly with an acrobatic far post volley which took a slight
deflection and then he found the bottom corner having been put clear by Tomasz
Radzinski.


Leeds (0) 0
West Brom (0) 0
RED CARD: Johnson (West Brom) 74

No goals at Elland Road as bottom club West Brom held out with ten men for the
closing stages. Leeds were the better side in the first half and away keeper
Russell Hoult had to save well from Mark Viduka and Alan Smith. The second half
was a drab affair, livened up somewhat when Andy Johnson was sent off for
dissent after it appeared that Lucas Radebe had handled in the area.


Newcastle (1) 2 (Shearer 1, Bellamy 64)
Man City (0) 0

Kevin Keegan's return to Tyneside ended in defeat as Newcastle were quick off
the march to beat Manchester City. The hosts took the lead inside TEN SECONDS
as Alan Shearer charged down a clearance from Carlo Nash to slot the ball into
an empty net, equalling the quickest ever Premiership goal netted by Ledley
King for Spurs at Bradford a couple of years ago. The lead was doubled in the
second half when Craig Bellamy slid in at the far post to convert a cross from
Laurent Robert.


Southampton (0) 0
Liverpool (1) 1 (Heskey 14)

A win at last for Liverpool as Southampton lost at home for the first time in
the league this season. The only goal came from a John Arne Riise free kick,
heading in at close range by Emile Heskey - his first goal in 18 games.


Gary Dowden - Joint Admin Topica Premier-L list
Leeds United and Scotland and proud of it
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