19 January 2004

Newcastle (2) 3 (O'Brien 4, Speed 41, Robert 54)
Fulham (0) 1 (Davis 74)

Newcastle moved into fifth place with a comfortable win over Fulham. Two
corners undid the visitors in the first half as early on they failed to
clear a Laurent Robert kick, resulting in Jonathon Woodgate crossing from
the far post and after Alan Shearer was crowded out, Andy O'Brien turned to
fire in from close range. Four minutes from half time and the lead was
doubled as Gary Speed found space to nod in a Nol Solano corner. Robert
added a third with an acrobatic overhead effort from a cross by Solano which
he appeared to back heel in and although Fulham pulled one back from Sean
Davis, who found the net via the post from the edge of the area, it was
never likely to be enough.


18 January 2004

Aston Villa (0) 0
Arsenal (1) 2 (Henry 29, (pen) 53)

Arsenal regain top spot with two controversial goals to see off Aston Villa.
The first came just before the half hour as Thierry Henry lined up, and
took, a free kick on the edge of the area as the home side were still
putting their wall together. Despite heated appeals, the goal was allowed to
stand, however the fans were incensed further early in the second half when
a mazy run by Kanu was halted by Olof Mellberg in the area, although in
truth it was a collision between the two rather than anything cynical. A
free kick for obstruction looked likely, however the referee awarded a
penalty which Henry converted well, despite keeper Thomas Sorensen getting
his hands to the ball.


Birmingham (0) 0
Chelsea (0) 0

No goals at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea failed to break down a dogged and
determined Birmingham side. The best chances for either club came just after
half time as Robbie Savage shot wide for the visitors after good work from
Clinton Morrison and Stern John, whilst minutes later, keeper Maik Taylor
misjudged a cross and after William Gallas looped the ball toward the empty
net, Oliver Tebily got back to somehow hook the ball off the line.


17 January 2004

Bolton (0) 1 (Davies 53)
Portsmouth (0) 0
RED CARD: Stefanovic (Portsmouth) 90

Portsmouth continue to hover dangerously close to the drop zone after defeat
at Bolton, who continue to maintain a dignified mid-table spot. The only
goal came from Kevin Davies who sie-footed home a cross from Nicky Hunt,
although the lack of power in the effort saw the ball only just dribble in.
The visitors were reduced to ten men in stoppage time when Dejan Stefanovic
was red carded for swearing at the referee.


Everton (0) 0
Charlton (1) 1 (Stuart 41)

Charlton stay fourth after a goal from Everton old-boy Graham Stuart beat
his former club. The goal came just before half time when Paolo di Canio's
cross was miscontrolled by Alessandro Pistone, allowing Stuart to thump in
from close range.


Man City (0) 1 (Anelka 50)
Blackburn (0) 1 (Flitcroft 55)

Honours even at the City of Manchester Stadium leaving Man City and
Blackburn too close to the relegation zone for comfort. City have now gone
eleven games without a win in the league, the worst run this season by any
Prem club, however it looked good when Nik Anelka walloped in a free kick
from the edge of the area to give them the lead. It lasted five minutes
before Dwight Yorke touched the ball on for Gary Flitcroft to net at the
near post against his former club.


Middlesbrough (1) 3 (Juninho 8, Maccarone 89, Curtis (og) 90)
Leicester (0) 3 (Dickov 49, 65, Bent 76)
MISS PEN: Job (Boro) 44 (Keeper saved)

Two stoppage time goals gave Middlesbrough an unlikely draw against
Leicester, leaving the visitors in the bottom three. Boro had the better of
the first half and took an early lead when away keeper Ian Walker drove a
clearance at Joseph Desire Job and as the ball fell to Juninho, the
Brazilian ran into the area and made no mistake with a fine finish. The lead
should have been doubled when Nikos Dabizas clambered over Job in the area,
however the Cameroon international saw his penalty brilliantly saved by
Walker. Leicester took command after the break as firstly Paul Dickov
levelled from close range after Steve Guppy's corner missed friend and foe
alike, although it did appear to go in off his arm. Dickov then scored again
after he latched onto a header from Ricardo Scimeca to bundle the ball home.
Worse was to follow for the hosts as a back pass from Andy Davies bounced
horribly for keeper Mark Schwarzer and as his control let him down, in
nipped Marcus Bent for the third. With time almost up, Massimo Maccarone
pulled one back with a near post shot after Szilard Nemeth's header gave him
the chance and a minute later, a cross from Mendieta was heading for
Maccarone only for John Curtis to slice into his own net.


Southampton (2) 2 Ormerod 36, Phillips 43)
Leeds United (0) 1 (Kilgallon 75)

Leeds go bottom after a spirited performance at St Mary's resulted in yet
another defeat. Southampton took the lead when Brett Ormerod held off the
attention of two defenders to surge into the area and drive home from 12
yards. The lead was doubled when Zoumana Camara pressed the self destruct
button and presented Kevin Phillips with a free run on goal which he
completed with another good finish. Matthew Kilgallon pulled one back with a
header from an Ian Harte cross but despite hitting post and bar late on,
Leeds couldn't grab an equaliser.


Spurs (1) 2 (Keane (pen) 25, Postiga 54)
Liverpool (0) 1 (Kewell 75)

Spurs' recent resurgence continued with a fine win at home to Liverpool, who
still can't put a decent run together. The hosts took the lead when Robbie
Keane converted a penalty after he'd been fouled by Igor Biscan, although
contact was minimal. Helder Postiga then doubled the lead with his first
league goal for his new club, latching onto a long ball to stab past the
keeper. Harry Kewell pulled one back late on with a solo run and near post
shot, but Spurs held on.


Wolves (0) 1 (Miller 67)
Man United (0) 0

Bottom beat top in what one pundit called `The Shock Result Of The Season`
as Man United faltered against Wolves. The only goal came midway through the
second half as Denis Irwin headed the ball forward for Kenny Miller, who
beat Wes Brown before sidefooting home from the edge of the area.


Gary Dowden - Joint Admin Topica Premier-L list
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