3 JANUARY 2001

Tottenham (3) 4 (Doherty 27, Anderton (pen) 30, Rebrov 35, Ferdinand 76)
Newcastle (1) 2 (Solano 23, Dyer (pen) 49)
MISSED PENALTY : Anderton (Spurs) 33
RED CARDS : Sullivan 47 (Spurs), Solano 32 & Dyer 52 (Newcastle)

A sensational game at White Hart Lane that saw three penalties,
three red cards and six goals as Spurs continue their superb home
record.

It began badly for the hosts when Nol Solano latched onto a pass
from Shola Ameobi to slot calmly past Sullivan, however Gary Doherty
levelled shortly after when he powered home a header from a fine
cross by Clemence.

Then it all happened! Firstly Gary Speed was judged to have pushed
Darren Anderton in the area, a decision that was harsh to say the
least, and the Spurs man got up to smash home the penalty. Two
minutes later, Solano handled a Doherty header on the line and was
sent off, although his manager Bobby Robson claimed later that it
was ball to hand. This time however Anderton was denied by a
brilliant penalty save by Steve Harper.

A further two minutes on and Sergei Rebrov scored a brilliant third.
Doherty was again involved, finding the Ukrainian unmarked on the
right edge of the area and he then curled a beauty into the far
corner with a stunning shot with the outside of his right foot.

Any thoughts of a quieter second half were halted when Kieron Dyer
broke clear early in the second half only to be brought down by
Sullivan who was also sent off, although again it looked  a little
harsh. Dyer scored from the spot to make it 3-2.
Three minutes later, Dyer was furious with the linesman at not being
awarded a free kick and told him so in no uncertain terms! Referee
Steve Bennett then waved the over-used red card at Dyer for foul and
abusive language.

The result was put beyond doubt when Les Ferdinand scored with a
late close range header.


1 JANUARY 2001

Charlton (1) 1 (Johansson 39)
Arsenal (0) 0
MISSED PEN : Vivas (Arsenal) 71

Arsenal slipped up badly and could well have handed the title to Man
United after they lost 1-0 at Charlton thanks to a winner just
before half time by Jonaton Johansson. He rose above Stepanovs and
Silvinho at the far post and planted Graham Stuart's cross into the
bottom corner. Arsenal had a golden chance to level matters, but
Vivas watched in horror as his penalty was well saved by Dean Kiely
after Tomas was brought down by Kishishev.


Chelsea (1) 1 (Hasselbaink 44)
Aston Villa (0) 0

A drab game at Stamford Bridge was decided by a fluke of a
controversial goal on half time. Villa keeper David James blasted a
clearance against Hasselbaink who then clipped the ball over the
advancing keeper and prodded it goalwards. Although Gareth Southgate
hacked the ball clear, the linesman said that the ball had crossed
the line and gave the goal.


Coventry (0) 1 (Edworthy 72)
Manchester City (0) 1 (Wanchope 54)

Honours even in the battle at the bottom as Man City remain in the
bottom three. It could have been different had then been able to
hold onto the lead given to them by Paulo Wanchope who found the net
after a good pass from Darren Huckerby. The equaliser came from a
fine long range drive by Marc Edworthy, although the finger of guilt
could well be pointed at keeper Nicky Weaver who could perhaps have
done better, seemingly allowing the shot to squeeze under him.


Derby (1) 1 (Burton 20)
Everton (0) 0

Derby collected a crucial victory in the relegation dog fight as
they beat Everton to leap above their opponents. Deon Burton scored
the only goal and a decent one it was as well. Gravesen was robbed
by Johnson who set Eranio clear on the flank. His cross was dummied
by Malcolm Christie, leaving Burton to crash the ball home. Everton
are now just two points out of the drop zone.


Leeds United (0) 1 (Keane (pen) 55)
Middlesbrough (1) 1 (Boksic 26)

Middlesbrough remain unbeaten under Terry Venables, although Leeds
needed a disputed penalty to earn a point from the game. After early
Leeds pressure, Boro went ahead when Boksic was sent through by Okon
and slotted the ball neatly past Robinson. Early in the second half,
Curtis Fleming was harshly judged to have handled in the area and
Robbie Keane celebrated his first start by smashing home the kick.


Leicester (1) 1 (Izzet (pen) 38)
Bradford (2) 2 (Jess 25, Jacobs 29)

Bottom club Bradford win only their third game of the season and
their first on the road after a sensational victory over fifth
placed Leicester. Debutant Eoin Jess started the Bantams on the road
to victory with an effort from just inside the area that gave
Flowers no chance after Robbie Blake's shot had been cleared off the
line, however the same couldn't be said for the second goal. Wayne
Jacobs free kick should have been easy for the home keeper, however
he somehow let the shot dribble under his body and into the net.
Muzzy Izzet pulled a goal back, converting a penalty after Eadie had
been tripped by Windass, but Bradford held on throughout the second
half.


Liverpool (1) 2 (Gerrard 12, Babbel 85)
Southampton (1) 1 (Soltvedt 20)

Liverpool move up to fifth but had to wait until very late to clinch
the victory over Southampton. Steven Gerrard crashed the hosts into
the lead from all of 35 yards as early as the 12th minute, his
thumping effort crashing in off the bar, however Tront Egil Soltvedt
levelled matters minutes later, driving home from close range after
Pahars corner wasn't cleared. The winner came inside the last five
minutes as Markus Babbel headed home a Gary McAllister corner.


Sunderland (1) 4 (Arca 27, Phillips 57, Dichio 63, Schwarz 89)
Ipswich (1) 1 (Stewart 5)

The battle at the top was won by Sunderland as they convincingly saw
off Ipswich to claim third place from their victims. Marcus Stewart
put the visitors ahead inside the opening five minutes, clipping
over the keeper having been sent clear by Holland. Julio Arca curled
in a fine equaliser from a free kick before Sunderland took over in
the second half. Firstly Daniele Dichio helped on a Craddock pass to
send Kevin Phillips clear to make no mistake, and then Dichio
doubled the lead, converting Phillips cross with ease. Sub Stefan
Schwarz confirmed the destination of the points late on, firing home
after collecting Rae's pass.


Manchester United (2) 3 (Solsjkaer 3, Pearce (S) (og) 33, Yorke 58)
West Ham (0) 1 (Kanuote 72)

United go tearing eleven points clear at the top as they destroyed
West Ham with a scintilating display of attacking football. West Ham
didn't help themselves early in the game when Rigobert Song spurned
a number of chances to clear the ball and was ultimately robbed by
Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer who then crashed a cross shot firmly into the
far corner. The lead was doubled half an hour later when Phil
Neville's cross took a slight touch off the out stretched boot of
Stuart Pearce and found the far corner of Hislop's net. The visitors
began the second half better but went further behind when Roy
Keane's cross was met brilliant by Dwight Yorke whose diving header
tore past the keeper. West Ham's play probably deserved a goal and
they got it when Kanoute headed home a corner with a 18 minutes left
on the clock.


Gary Dowden
Chief Editor - Soccerage (UK)
http://www.soccerage.com
garydowden@blueyonder.co.uk