2 May 2004

Bolton (0) 4 (Djorkaeff 47, 53, Harte (og) 55, Nolan 78)
Leeds (1) 1 (Viduka (pen) 27)
RED CARD : Viduka (Leeds) 33

Leeds United are relegated after Bolton came from behind to beat the
Yorkshire side 4-1 at the Reebok, helped by the dismissal of Leeds striker
Mark Viduka, just six minutes after giving his side the lead. After a
mundane opening, albeit dominated by Bolton possession, Leeds took a
controversial lead. A long clearance by Paul Robinson saw Alan Smith get
ahead of Emerson Thome in the race for the ball. Smith then went down in the
area under what was very minimal contact and the referee awarded a penalty
for the visitors. Thome was only booked, despite being the last man, and
Viduka kept his cool and slotted home the spot kick. Sadly for Leeds, that
was the final time that the Australian did keep his cool as within six
minutes, he was booked for kicking out at Thome and then shown a second
yellow two minutes later for catching Bruno N'Gotty in the face with a
flayling arm. It was his second red card in a month having been back for
just 33 minutes after his suspension from his first! Although Leeds held out
until half time, they collapsed in the second half. Within two minutes,
Jay-Jay Okocha's chip found Youri Djorkaeff in the area and although his
flick didn't come off, the ball rolled nicely back into his path and he
fired in at the near post even though Robinson got his hand to the effort.
The Frenchman almost netted again minutes later, however his 25-yard effort
was headed off the line by Gary Kelly as it tore toward the top corner.
Ultimately it only delayed matters as, two minutes later, Nicky Hunt found
space in the area and after his shot was saved, Djorkaeff reacted quickly to
power in his second. The home crowd had barely settled when Kevin Davies had
time to cross from the left and although it was too high for Djorkaeff, it
struck Ian Harte in the midriff and bobbled into his own net. It didnt end
there as, with time ebbing away, Okocha sent Kevin Nolan clear and he
slotted neatly past Robinson as the keeper came off his line. Although Leeds
could still go level on points with Man City, their goal difference is so
poor that the drop is no longer probable, but inevitable.


Aston Villa (1) 1 (Angel 5)
Spurs (0) 0

Aston Villa move up to fifth after a narrow, but comfortable, win over a
Spurs side waiting for next season to start. The only goal came early on as
Thomas Hitzlsperger's deep corner was played back across goal by Gareth
Barry and headed in from close range by Juan Pablo Angel.


Liverpool (0) 2 (Murphy (pen) 49, Heskey 53)
Middlesbrough (0) 0

Liverpool remain on course for the final Champions League place next season
after a comfortable win against Middlesbrough.

After a pulsating end-to-end first half, Liverpool took control in the
second with two goals in five minutes. The deadlock was broken when Michael
Owen was fouled in the area by Chris Riggott, allowing Danny Murphy to
convert his second successful penalty in as many games and Owen was also
involved in the second as his touch inside was drilled into the net by Emile
Heskey.


1 May 2004

Arsenal (0) 0
Birmingham (0) 0

No goals at Highbury as the new Champions failed to break down a resolute
Birmingham side, although their quest to go the entire league season
unbeaten remains intact. In reality, Birmingham keeper Ian Bennett had
little to do as his backline and midfield held the Gunners at bay, barely
giving them a sight of goal. The best chance of the game actually fell to
the visitors when Stephen Clemence struck an effort from 25 yards which was
well saved by Jens Lehmann. Overall, a fine defensive display from the
visitors, all the more admirable when you consider that first choice keeper
Maik Taylor and top scorer Mikael Forrsell were both out through injury.


Blackburn (0) 1 (Stead 85)
Man United (0) 0

Blackburn's Premiership safety was confirmed after a fine win against a much
changed Man United side at Ewood Park. A drab affair was settled late on
when Paul Gallagher sent Jonathon Stead away on the left and his shot from a
tight angle found the roof of the net.


Charlton (0) 2 (Fortune 53, Di Canio (pen) 76)
Leicester (1) 2 (Bent 5, Ferdinand 88)
RED CARD : Dabizas (Leicester) 75

Leicester are relegated after a battling 2-2 draw at Charlton which also saw
their seventh red card in the league this season. They were off to a dream
start when Marcus Bent played a one-two with Muzzy Izzet and then chipped
home a brilliant effort from 26 yards. Early in the second half, Paolo di
Canio's corner was headed in at the far post by an unmarked Jonathon Fortune
and suddenly the visitors were up against it. With fifteen minutes left,
Jonaton Johansson went down in the area after tangling with Nikos Dabizas
and charlton were not only awarded a harsh penalty, but the Greek defender
was shown a straight red card when surely a yellow was more appropriate. Di
Canio slotted in the spot kick and although a stunning free kick from Les
Ferdinand brought Leicester level late on, they couldn't stop relegation
being confirmed at the final whistle.


Chelsea (0) 4 (Cranie (og) 59, Lampard 75, 83, Johnson 85)
Southampton (0) 0

Chelsea move four points clear in second place after a second half rout
against a makeshift Southampton side. They needed a stroke of luck to take
the lead in the second half when 17-year old debutant flashed a near post
header into his own net from Jesper Gronkjaer's corner. It was one way
traffic thereafter as Eidur Gudjohnson was tackled in the area, allowing
Frank Lampard to volley in the loose ball and eight minutes later, he did it
again, this time after Geremi's shot was parried away. Glen Johnson,
returning from injury, completed the rout when he slotted in a fourth from
the edge of the area after Gudjohnson had cut the ball back.


Man City (0) 1 (Wanchope 59)
Newcastle (0) 0

Man City recorded a crucial win in their battle against the drop and but a
dent in Newcastle's Champions League hopes in the process. The only goal
came just before the hour as Nik Anelka's cross was headed in powerfully by
Paulo Wanchope. One more win, or defeat for Leeds at Bolton on Sunday, will
effectively confirm City's safety.


Portsmouth (0) 1 (Yakubu 80)
Fulham (0) 1 (McBride 85)

Honours even at Fratton Park as Portsmouth's Premiership safety was clinched
against Fulham. The hosts took the lead with ten minutes to go when Matthew
Taylor's cross was fumbled by Edwin van der Sar, allowing Yakubu to tap in
from close range. Five minutes later, Sean Davis headed the ball to sub
Brian McBride and he found the bottom corner from the edge of the area.


Wolves (0) 2 (Camara 55, Cort 84)
Everton (1) 1 (Osman 3)

Wolves are effectively relegated barring a mathamatical fluke, despite
coming from behind to beat Everton. Debutant Leon Osman put the visitors
ahead early on with a fine near post header from James McFadden's cross,
however in the second half, Mark Kennedy found Henri Camara and his stunning
first time shot crashed into the net via the underside of the bar. Victory
was comfirmed late on when Kennedy's cross was headed home by Carl Cort and
although they could still catch Man City on points, Wolves dreadfully poor
goal difference means that first division football next season is a
certainty.


Gary Dowden - Joint Admin Topica Premier-L list
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