23 JANUARY 2001

Aston Villa (1) 1 (Merson 24)
Leeds United (1) 2 (Bowyer 28, Harte (pen) 75)

Leeds come from behind to ease their worries but increase though
experienced by Aston Villa.

Paul Merson but the hosts in front, firing home after Ian Taylor
helped on a Gareth Barry cross. Four minutes later though Lee Bowyer
levelled matters, slotting under James after Robbie Keane sent him
in. With fifteen minutes to go, Keane was pushed in the area by
Barry as he tried to get to a Viduka cross and Ian Harte dispatched
the penalty with ease. Merson was unlucky in the final minutes to
see his chip strike the underside of the bar, but Leeds held on for
their second successive away win.


22 JANUARY 2001

Charlton (1) 1 (Bartlett 7)
West Ham (0) 1 (Di Canio 75)

Honours even in a fine game at the Valley that could have easily
ended 3-3. Charlton took an early lead when Shaun Bartlett latched
onto a slotted through ball by Paul Konchesky to shoot across Craig
Forrest and into the far corner. Paolo Di Canio levelled matters
with a superb drive from the edge of the area having done well to
make a shooting chance for himself.


21 JANUARY 2001

Sunderland (0) 0
Bradford (0) 0

Second placed Sunderland were held by bottom side Bradford in a drab
game at the Stadium of Light. Both clubs missed guilt edged chances
that could have decided the points as Niall Quinn headed wide from a
Don Hutchison cross, the Irishman was unmarked at close range and
should have done better. The same could be said for Dean Windass who
shot wide in a similar position in the second half from Robbie
Blake's cross.


20 JANUARY 2001

Chelsea (1) 4 (Poyet 45, 65, Wise 58, Hasselbaink (pen) 74)
Ipswich (1) 1 (Stewart 23)
RED CARD : McGreal (Ipswich) 73

Chelsea thumped high flying Ipswich to leave themselves only a
couple of wins away from the top six. Claudio Ranieri's men came
from behind to win 4-1 after Marcus Stewart (who else!) had produced
a delightful chip to give the visitors the lead. The game changed on
half time when Gus Poyet levelled matters, heading home after keeper
Richard Wright failed to claim a corner and Croft headed John
Terry's effort off the line. Dennis Wise put Chelsea ahead with a
diving header from Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's cross and minutes leter
Poyet struck again, sliding in after Hasselbaink again provided the
chance. The Dutchman then got his reward, firing home a penalty
after Dalla Bonna was judged to have been fouled by Wilnis, even
though he appeared to play the ball. The heated protests saw John
McGreal sent off for foul and abusive language.


Coventry (0) 1 (Carsley (pen) 86)
Everton (3) 3 (Gemmill 8, Cadamarteri 15, Campbell 31)

Everton won one of the two bottom of the table clashes today,
beating Coventry comfortably at Highfield Rd. The game was
effectively over after half an hour, by which time the visitors were
3-0 up. Scot Gemmill scored the first from the edge of the area
after Danny Cadamarteri sent him clear and just seven minutes later
it was Cadamarteri who began and ended a fine move, tapping home a
cross from Niklas Alexandersson. Kevin Campbell made in 3-0, scoring
at the second attempt having been found by Phil Jevons and although
the hosts pulled a late penalty back, Lee Carsley scoring after he'd
been brought down by Thomas Myhre, it was much too little, much too
late.


Derby (0) 1 (Powell 48)
Manchester City (0) 1 (Howey 50)

Honours even in the other bottom of the table clash, although City
boss Joe Royle was fuming at a penalty that wasn't awarded for his
team when Paulo Wanchope was held in the area by Youl Mawene. Derby
had taken the lead just after half time when Daryl Powell chested
home a fierce cross from Malcolm Christie. It lasted just two
minutes when Steve Howey headed home a Danny Tiatto corner.


Leeds United (1) 1 (Keane 2)
Newcastle (2) 3 (Solano (pen) 3, Acuna 44, Ameobi 86)

Newcastle re-enter the top six after coming from behind to see off a
disappointing Leeds United. It began well for the hosts when Robbie
Keane scored inside two minutes, crashing home from close range
after Mark Viduka's cross was miscontrolled by Eirik Bakke. The
cheers had barely died down when Danny Mills handled in the area at
the other end and Nol Solano scored from the spot. The lead was
gained just before half time when Clarence Acuna was sent clear by
Gary Speed and clipped the ball over Robinson. Victory was confirmed
late on when Shola Ameobi scored his second in as many league games,
thumping home a half volley from the edge of the area.


Leicester(0) 0
Arsenal (0) 0
RED CARD : Jones (Leicester) 40

A fiery encounter at Filbert Street saw two of the top six lose
further ground on Man United after this goalless draw. The game
erupted just before half time when Matthew Jones was sent off for a
second bookable offence, a tackle on Frederik Ljungberg, however
originally the referee had decided against booking the midfielder
and only did so after words from the linesman. Minutes later,
Leicester's anger boiled over when Gerry Taggart appeared to strike
his own team mate Robbie Savage around the head. Thierry Henry
missed the best chance, striking the bar from six yards after
Parlour's cross found him, however at the other end, new signing
Dean Sturridge headed wide when other new signing Roberto Mancini
was better placed. Sylvain Wiltord was also unlucky to see his fine
run and shot bounce off the foot of the post.


Liverpool (0) 0
Middlesbrough (0) 0

Boro remain unbeaten under Terry Venables after a goalless draw at
Anfield where Michael Owen came on as a half time sub for Emile
Heskey and went onto to miss the best chances of the game. Firstly
he latched onto a poor back pass by Colin Cooper only to shoot over
and minutes later after a fine turn, the England international
forced an excellent save from Schwarzer.


Manchester United (0) 2 (Neville (G) 57, Sheringham 88)
Aston Villa (0) 0

For the second week in a row, Man United took their time to open the
scoring but rarely looked in danger having done so. Gary Neville
scored a rare goal just before the hour mark, flicking home Roy
Keane's free kick, the ball crossing the line before James could
drag it back. Teddy Sheringham wrapped matters up, firing home after
James had parried Cole's cross.


Tottenham (0) 0
Southampton (0) 0

Spurs are still unbeaten at home, although it was only thanks to out
of favour keeper Ian Walker who denied a number of good
opportunities. Tahar El Khalej, Kevin Davies and Hassan Kachloul
were all stopped by a keeper clearly keen to impress. Ledley King
came closest for Spurs with a header against the bar.


Gary Dowden
Chief Editor - Soccerage (UK)
http://www.soccerage.com
gary@soccerage.com