Arsenal have stretched their lead at the top of the Premiership with a 2-1 win over West Brom at The Hawthorns. The result puts Arsene Wenger’s side four points clear over nearest challengers Chelsea.
The Gunners had to do it the hard way after falling behind after only three minutes when Daniele Dichio rose highest to send a thumping header past David Seaman. Arsene Wenger’s men were unable to get to grips with the pace of a frenetic first half but were still able to keep the deficit to a minimum at half-time.
Three minutes after the re-start the champions were back in the game after Francis Jeffers capitalised on a mistake by Baggies’ keeper Russell Hoult. Arsenal then took control of the game but were unable to break down Gary Megson’s resilient side until five minutes from time when Thierry Henry popped up to give Wenger’s side the points.
Manchester United's title aspirations were dealt another heavy blow with a 3-1 defeat by Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium. 'Boro went 2-0 through Alen Boksic and Szilard Nemeth before Ryan Giggs pulled one back for the visitors. Ferguson's side pushed hard for an equaliser but Joseph Desire Job scored a third for Steve McClaren's men to condemn United to their second defeat in two games.
Liverpool’s recent woes continued at Anfield today when a late Andy Cole equaliser for Blackburn snatched a much-needed three points from Gerard Houllier’s side. The Reds had gone ahead in the 17th minute through John Arne Riise but Cole’s stunning 25-yard shot in the 78th minute rescued a well-deserved point for Graeme Souness’ men.
Everton teenager Wayne Rooney was sent-off for the first time in his short Premiership career in the Toffees’ 1-1 draw with Birmingham at St Andrew’s. Tomas Radzinski had put Everton ahead in the 44th minute before Jovan Kirovski equalised almost immediately.
Rooney was sprung from the bench midway through the second half but was sent off ten minutes later by referee David Elleray for a two-footed lunge on Steve Vickers.
Leeds came from behind at Sunderland to give troubled manager Terry Venables a much needed three points at the Stadium of Light and in the process further increase Howard Wilkinson’s relegation worries.
The home side had gone ahead in the 34th minute through local boy Michael Proctor before 16-year-old James Milner equalised six minutes after the restart. Leeds stole the points ten minutes from time when former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler netted from the spot after a foul on Harry Kewell.
Earlier today, Chelsea missed the chance to go temporarily top of the Premiership after being held to a 0-0 draw by Southampton at Stamford Bridge.
Claudio Ranieri’s side have now stretched their unbeaten run to 11 games but despite having had some good chances to net all three points here, Gordon Strachan’s Southampton deserved their share of the spoils after a determined performance.
It was the visitors who started better but Chelsea carved out the first good scoring opportunity when Gianfranco Zola was set up by Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. Unfortunately for the Londoners, the diminutive Italian hit the outside of the post from only six yards.
Southampton also went close in the first half but James Beattie’s volley cleared the crossbar after Joe Tessem had headed on Wayne Bridges’ free kick. Michael Svensson then had a shot well saved by Chelsea’s Ed de Goey before the home side hit back and Enrique de Lucas fired narrowly over the bar from 20 yards.
The second half was a tight affair with Zola the first to come close to breaking the deadlock with a shot from 25 yards shortly after the hour mark. Southampton were continuing to hold their own, however, and were denied the lead after 75 minutes when de Goey saved a deflected shot from Svensson.
Hasselbaink and Gallas went close for Chelsea in the dying stages but a draw was the fairest result.
Elsewhere in today’s early Premiership starts, Tottenham came from behind to draw 2-2 with Charlton at White Hart Lane.
Jason Euell scored twice either side of half-time for Alan Curbishley’s side before Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane pulled one back for Glenn Hoddle’s side after 68 minutes.
The home side then salvaged a late point when Stefan Iversen equalised three minutes from time. Spurs’ dramatic come-back was somewhat spoiled, however, by Christian Ziege’s last-minute sending off for his second bookable offence.
At the Reebok Stadium, Bolton held on for a priceless three points with a 4-3 win over Newcastle. The home side lead 4-1 at one point before a late rally from Bobby Robson's side set up a frantic finale.
Michael Ricketts (2), Jay Jay Okocha and Ricardo Gardner were the scorers for Bolton, while Alan Shearer (2) and Shola Ameobi netted for the Toon Army.
Bottom side West Ham came from behind to net a point against Fulham in a 1-1 draw at Upton Park.
Filed by Tom Grealis
