Just when it looked like Liverpool were to mount a serious challenge for the title, all their inconsistencies of old resurfaced with a disappointing 1-0 defeat to lowly Middlesbrough at The Riverside Stadium. Christian Karembeu‘s second goal of the season gave Terry Venables’ side a hard-fought and deserved victory over Gerard Houllier’s siden, who entered the game in confident mood following victories over the top two, Manchester United and Arsenal.
The former Real Madrid midfielder poked the ball home from two yards just four minutes before the break to seal the points and continue something of a mini-revival under the former England manager. The three points earned today will come as a welcome relief to all on Teeside, with the club still languishing just one place off the bottom.
Newcastle United made a mockery of their current injury plight, with a deserved 2-1 win over big spending Leeds United at St James’ Park. Without ten first team regulars, Bobby Robson’s side fell behind to an early free kick from Olivier Dacourt, but bounced back with two efforts just before the interval. Nolberto Solano provided one of the moments of the season with an outstanding free kick from all of 40 yards to draw the sides level, while Clarence Acuna hit the crucial second minutes later. Despite the introduction of Robbie Keane early in the second half, Leeds failed to find an equaliser, and have now not won on their Premiership travels since August.
Niall Quinn notched the opener just before the break as Sunderland eased to a 4-1 win over bottom club Bradford at Valley Parade. The Irishman finished at the second attempt as Bantams ‘keeper Gary Walsh saved his first effort, a towering header from Michael Gray’s cross. However, it was England striker Kevin Phillips who was the real hero, helping himself to a hat-trick en route to notching his 100th goal for Sunderland since his move from Watford. The win sees the club rise to third in the Premiership.
Resilient Ipswich denied Chelsea their first away win of the season when Marcus Stewart equalised for the plucky newboys just eight minutes from time. Eidur Gudjohnsen from got the visitors off to a perfect start, putting The Blues ahead with just eight minutes on the clock. He then notched his second nine minutes later , before James Scowcroft pulled one back for George Burley’s high fliers, setting the scene for Stewart’s late equaliser to continue Cheldea’s dreadful record away from Stamford Bridge.
Derby County’s Jim Smith will be the more satisfied manager after the visitors held fellow strugglers Manchester City to a goalless draw at Maine Road. Apart from a frantic opening five minutes when City could, and should, have taken the lead, there little to enjoy from a match lacked any kind of sparkle. Both sides served up the kind of droll football that has seen them among the main candidates for relegation, but The Rams, recording their seventh clean sheet in ten starts, will be the more pleased after a game to forget.
Filed by Shane Murray
