With many thanks to Brian Judson, without whom this feature would not be possible
Tuesday 5 March 2002
Arsenal v Derby County 1-0
The Gunners did not over exert themselves as Derby had not recovered from
their exertions on Sunday against Manchester United. However, Christie was
a constant threat but he was foiled by Seaman. Valakan had just replaced
Strupar in the 69th minute and was sorting out what he was supposed to be
doing (and passing on instructions from manager Gregory) when Arsenal
struck. Bergkamp sent Pires away, despite Barton manfully trying to keep
up with him. Pires drew Oakes and slipped the ball into the Derby goal.
Blackburn Rovers v Aston Villa 3-0
Villa were swept aside by a team that looks to be too good to go down.
Dunn put Rovers ahead after only 7 minutes when Unsal set Dunn free.
Schmeichel had no chance of blocking Dunn's shot as it flew into the net.
Blackburn had to wait until the last five minutes before they scored twice
more. It was very surprising they had to wait so long as Villa were so
poor. Flitcroft sent Duff away and Bolton failed to cut the threat out as
the ball flew into the Villa net, much to Schmeichel's annoyance. In the
dying seconds, Schmeichel lost the race to the ball and Cole lobbed the
ball over his former team mate.
Sunderland v Bolton Wanderers 1-0
The only goal of a disappointing match was scored by McAteer against his
former club. Kilbane found Phillips, who sensed the oncoming McAteer. The
defender lashed at the ball which flew into the Bolton goal. Bolton did
not test the Sunderland defence very well and Ricketts were hurt early in
the second half. Wallace almost snatched an undeserved equaliser with four
minutes to go but Sorensen blocked the shot with his legs.
Wednesday 6 March 2002
Chelsea v Fulham 3-2
The Blues deservedly won a keenly fought match on their relaid pitch.
Chelsea took the lead after 19 minutes when Melchiot forced the ball home.
Fulham equalised seconds later when Saha converted a penalty awarded after
Gallas had upended Saha. In the 29th minute, Chelsea regained the lead. Le
Saux passed to Gudjohnsen, who eluded Onaddou and slammed the ball home.
Fulham fought hard in the second half and finally equalised in the 73rd
minute when Collins sent Marlet away. Marlet centred the ball for Saha to
bundle the ball home. With eight minutes left, Forssell got on to the end
of a pass from Gronkjaer and chipped the ball over van der Sar.
Leeds United v Ipswich Town 2-0
It was not until seconds after the interval that Leeds finally managed to
pierce the Ipswich defence. He ran forward with the ball and punted the
ball in the direction of the Ipswich goal but it seemed too weak to worry
the Ipswich defence. However, the ball hit a divot just in front of
Marshall and flew into the corner of the net. Ipswich were thunderstruck
and it affected their brittle confidence. Magilton and Holland both
provided shots that worried Martyn and it looked as if Ipswich would
equalise. Clapham headed the ball back to Marshall under pressure. Smith
came in to confront Marshall and the two went sprawling in the penalty
area. The referee (Dermot Gallagher) awarded a penalty on the grounds that
Marshall had upended Smith. Predictably, Harte scored from the penalty
spot.
Liverpool v Newcastle United 3-0
The kick-off was delayed for 30 minutes because of a floodlight failure.
It was Liverpool who were quickest into their stride. Anelka sent Murphy
away in the 32nd minute. His centre was low and hard but Jenas fatally
hesitated instead of hoofing the ball clear and Murphy slid in to divert
the ball behind Given. Murphy added a second soon after half-time when he
was put through by Smicer. Newcastle got the ball into the net but Cort
was adjudged to have handled the ball. Owen had limped off in the 71st
minute with yet another hamstring injury and was replaced by Litmanen
before Hamann struck against his former club to seal the win.
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur 4-0
Read the full report here
Southampton v Middlesbrough 1-1
A point was probably just about what either side deserved. Both seem
apparently safe from relegation but cannot afford to relax just yet.
Festa, back from suspension, was sent off again, this time for pulling
Marsden back by his shirt, on the hour. Svensson put the Saints ahead
after 38 minutes when Ehiogu misread the situation and allowed Bridge to
make a 30-yard shot that Schwarzer and Southgate blocked. Ormerod had
caught the rebound and slipped the ball to Svensson to blast home. Carbone
set up the equaliser for Middlesbrough when his curling cross was
accurately read by the unmarked Whelan, who slid the ball home. The cheers
from the visiting fans had barely died away when Festa was sent off.
West Ham United v Everton 1-0
Trevor Sinclair scored the only goal of a drab game. The goal came in the
59th minute and was an absolute fluke. Joe Cole cut inside Alexandersson
and let fly from 25 yards. The ball hit Sinclair on his back and flew past
the stunned Simonsen into the Everton goal. Everton had come with one
intention only, to snatch a point. Gascoigne was not even on the bench and
Ginola only came on as a substitute after Sinclair had scored.
Saturday, 9 March 2002
Leicester City v Charlton Athletic 1-1
It was announced on Wednesday that Filbert Street had been sold to a
development company in a £3.75M deal. All the profits are being ploughed
back into their new ground at Freeman's Wharf.
Scowcroft put Leicester ahead after 20 minutes when Piper beat Young on
the left and whipped over a dangerous cross. Scowcroft timed his run to
perfection to head the ball behind Kiely. Euell equalised for Charlton in
the 41st minute when, against the run of play, Delaney failed to cut out a
cross from Svensson to Stuart. Stuart had plenty of time to float the ball
to Euell, who scored from close range. Sinclair almost regained the lead
for the home side when Parker had to move smartly to clear the ball off
his goal line.
Pos Pl. W. D. L. For- Ag Pts.
1 Man Utd 30 19 4 7 73- 37 61
2 Arsenal 29 17 9 3 58- 31 60
3 Liverpool 30 17 8 5 50- 25 59
4 Newcastle 29 17 4 8 52- 38 55
5 Leeds 29 12 12 5 39- 29 48
6 Chelsea 28 12 11 5 50- 30 47
7 A. Villa 29 10 11 8 34- 34 41
8 Charlton 29 9 11 9 33- 34 38
9 Spurs 28 11 5 12 39- 40 38
10 West Ham 29 10 7 12 32- 43 37
11 Fulham 29 8 11 10 29- 34 35
12 S'hampton 29 10 5 14 35- 43 35
13 M'brough 29 9 8 12 28- 36 35
14 S'derland 29 9 7 13 23- 33 34
15 Everton 29 7 9 13 27- 35 30
16 Ipswich 28 8 6 14 35- 45 30
17 Bolton 29 6 12 11 31- 44 30
18 Blackburn 28 7 8 12 36- 37 29
19 Derby 29 7 5 17 23- 46 26
20 Leicester 29 3 9 17 19- 51 18
