11 SEPTEMBER 2002

Aston Villa (0) 2 (De La Cruz 70, Moore 83)
Charlton (0) 0

A welcome victory for Villa and the first time that a league game involving them
hasn't ended 1-0. Two solo goals did the damage, firstly from Ulises De La Cruz,
who somehow twisted through half the Charlton defence before firing home and
then from young sub Stefan Moore, who neatly netmegged his marker before
slotting in coolly.


Blackburn (2) 2 (Dunn (pen) 18, Thompson 45)
Chelsea (1) 3 (Gronkjaer 38, Zola 52, 80)

Blackburn twice lost the lead at home to Chelsea, who had Gianfranco Zola to
thank for their comeback. David Dunn gave the hosts the lead from the penalty
spot after Celestine Babayaro had fouled Lucas Neill, the official waving away
protests that the tackle was outside the area. Jesper Gronkjaer fired in an
equaliser after being set up by Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, however on half time,
new signing David Thompson blasted his effort in from 25 yards after good work
from Andy Cole. Enter Zola, who equalised with a diving header from a Mario
Stanic cross, and then drilled a beauty into the top corner after Zenden had
found him in space.


Fulham (0) 3 (Inamoto 68, Malbranque (pen) 84, Legwinski 90)
Tottenham (2) 2 (Richards 36, Sheringham 44)

Spurs blew the chance to go top as Fulham produced a sensational late comeback.
Dean Richards headed home a Simon Davies corner, before Teddy Sheringham made it
two from Matt Etherington's cutback to give the visitors a comfortable lead
which lasted midway through the second half. Junichi Inamoto then drilled a low
shot into the corner after good work by Sean Davis, and with six minutes to go,
Steed Malbranque levelled matters from the penalty spot after Barry Hayles was
judged to have been hauled down by Gardner. Fulham won it in stoppage time when
Sylvain Legwinski blasted home after a one-two with Facundo Sava.


Liverpool (1) 2 (Murphy 25, Gerrard 49)
Birmingham (0) 2 (Morrison 61, 90)

Liverpool were left stunned as they lost a two goal lead at home to newly
promoted Birmingham. All looked normal after Danny Murphy curled a 25 yard free
kick in off the post and early in the second half, El-Hadji Diouf played in
Steven Gerrard who fired in the second. Clinton Morrison then took over as he
pulled a goal back at the far post from Stern John's cross, and deep into
stoppage time, his towering header from Stan Lazaridis' cross looped inside the
far post.


Manchester United (0) 0
Bolton (0) 1 (Nolan 76)

If Liverpool were stunned, what of Man United who lost at home to Bolton for the
second season in a row. Kevin Nolan, who scored in the 2-1 win last season, did
the damage again as he took advantage of poor control by David Beckham in his
own area to drill a cross shot past Barthez and into the far corner.


Newcastle (0) 0
Leeds United (1) 2 (Viduka 5, Smith 87)

Leeds ended their two game losing streak with a fine win at Newcastle. Mark
Viduka scored early on, powering in at the far post from Harry Kewell's cross.
Newcastle then put Leeds under incessant pressure, forcing a number of excellent
saves out of Paul Robinson, before the late sucker punch as Newcastle failed to
clear a corner, allowing Alan Smith to cap a fine week with a stunning strike.


Southampton (0) 1 (Pahars (pen) 73)
Everton (0) 0

A welcome win for Southampton as Everton continue their stop-start opening to
the season. The only goal came from the penalty spot by Marion Pahars, after he'
d been fouled by David Weir.


West Ham (0) 0
West Brom (1) 1 (Roberts 28)

The first away win in the Premiership for West Brom, leaving West Ham as the
only club without a win this season. The only goal came from Jason Roberts who
finished well having been sent clear on goal.


10 SEPTEMBER 2002

Arsenal (2) 2 (Wiltord 26, Henry 42)
Manchester City (1) 1 (Anelka 28)
RED CARD : Benarbia (Man City) 85

Arsenal go top, until Wednesday evening at least, with an unconvincing win
over Man City. Sylvain Wiltord gave the Gunners the lead, latching onto a
superb through ball by Dennis Bergkamp to slot home. Two minutes later, Nik
Anelka headed home at the far post after a deep cross from Ali Benarbia,
however just before half time, Thierry Henry clinched the points, slotting
in from the edge of the area after good work from Ashley Cole. Late on, Ali
Benarbia was red carded after picking up a second yellow card for swearing
at the linesman.


Middlesbrough (2) 3 (Nemeth 17, 66, Maccarone 37)
Sunderland (0) 0

Middlesbrough won the north-east derby with a comfortable 3-0 win over
Sunderland. Massimo Maccarone was the star of the show as he was involved in
all three goals, firstly as his fierce shot was parried by Thomas Sorensen,
allowing Slizard Nemeth in with a tap in. The lead was doubled before half
time when Franck Queudrue's deep free kick was thundered home via the head
of Maccarone and it was the Italain's through ball that set up Nemeth to
chip the third goal midway through the second half.


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