Ten man Arsenal gave former Manchester United number two Steve McClaren a baptism of fire in the Premiership, with a 4-0 win over his new club Middlesbrough. Arsenal dominated the game from the beginning, but only managed to make their superiority really count late in the second half with a three goal burst in the last few minutes. Goals from Frenchman Thierry Henry, compatriot Robert Pires with a penalty and two from substitute Dennis Bergkamp, clinched the points for the Gunners. Ray Parlour was sent off for his second booking early in the second half, and Boro managed to come more into the game after withstanding constant Arsenal pressure in the first period.
Strong efforts from Paul Ince and Alen Boksic forced good saves from David Seaman, but Arsenal always looked dangerous on the break. The real turning point came in the 85th minute when Boro defender Ugo Ehiogu was sent off after being adjudged to have tripped Ashley Cole in the box. The impressive Robert Pires smashed home the penalty to make it 2-0, and Dennis Bergkamp grabbed a late double to give Arsenal a rather flattering 4-0 win.
A double strike from in-form Liverpool striker Michael Owen saw off the challenge of West Ham in Glenn Roeder's debut in the Upton Park managerial hotseat. Owen opened the scoring in the 19th minute after a neat Gary McAllister flick, but Paolo Di Canio equalised from the penalty spot with a cheeky chip. Owen sealed victory in the second half with an angled shot past Shaka Hislop.
Alan Smith sparked a Leeds renaissance as David O'Leary's side won 2-0 against Southampton. The England striker replaced Robbie Keane in the 65th minute to inject some much needed bite into a rather lacklustre Leeds performance. Two minutes later, Lee Bowyer scored the opener with a precise volley from the edge of the penalty area. Smith sealed the game with a superb individual goal in the 79th minute. Picking up the ball well outside the penalty area with his back to goal, Smith tricked his way past the otherwise superb Dean Richards before swirling an unstoppable right-foot shot into the Southampton net. Saints boss Stuart Gray can count himself unlucky to lose his first Premiership game in charge of the club, as his team stubbornly defended for most of the match.
Filed by Greg McKevitt
