1 MAY 2001

Newcastle (1) 1 (Gallacher 26)
Southampton (0) 1 (Pahars 81)

Honours even at St James Park in a game that Southampton were a
little unlucky not to gain all three points as they looked the
better side for long periods. After the visitors had the better of
the opening exchanges, Newcastle took the lead with a classic sucker
punch. A long kick forward from Shay Given was hooked on by Nol
Solano to send Kevin Gallacher through and his neat lob gave Paul
Jones no chance. Saints gained a deserved point nine minutes from
time and it was a goal that gave interim boss Stuart Gray his first
goal since taking charge. Kevin Davies found space on the right
flank and his chipped cross was met perfectly by an unmarked Marion
Pahars who headed home from six yards.


Bradford (0) 0
Liverpool (0) 2 (Owen 47, McAllister 66)

Liverpool moved into third place, and the final Champions League
slot, on goal difference ahead of Leeds and Ipswich after a hard
fought but deserved victory at Valley Parade, with Gary McAllister
once again stealing the show. His delightful through ball 90 seconds
into the second half found Michael Owen storming through the middle
and having outpaced his marker, clipped the ball neatly over Gary
Walsh from six yards. Midway through the half, Owen was fouled in
the `D` and McAllister dinked an effort over the wall and in off the
crossbar, although Walsh may have got a slight touch to the original
shot.


30 APRIL 2001

Charlton (1) 2 (Svensson 12, Rufus 57)
Ipswich (1) 1 (Reuser 20)

Ipswich Town's Champions League aspirations took a severe dent
tonight as they slipped up 2-1 at The Valley against Charlton,
although a draw would perhaps have been a more accurate scoreline.
Charlton took the lead early on when John Robinson's right wing
cross was met brilliantly at the near post by Mathias Svensson whose
near post header crashed into the back of the net. The equaliser
followed eight minutes later when Martijn Reuser's clipped ball into
the area somehow deceived everyone and bobbled apologetically into
the bottom corner with Ilic grasping at thin air. The lead was
regained in the second half when Ipswich failed to clear a free kick
and as it fell to Graham Stuart at the far post, his half hit shot
was helped past Richard Wright by Richard Rufus who was standing
directly in front of the Ipswich keeper. Both clubs had further
chances but there was no further addition to the scoreline.


28 APRIL 2001

Coventry (0) 0
Liverpool (0) 2 (Hyypia 83, McAllister 86)

Liverpool could have hammered the final nail into the Coventry
coffin and kept their own Champions League hopes alive after Sami
Hyypia and Gary McAllister found late goals to see off the Sky
Blues. Finnish international Hyypia opening the scoring, glancing
home McAllister's near post header and within three minutes, a
McAllister party piece confirmed the points as he curled home a long
range free kick. Coventry are still not quite down but must win
their last two games to have any hope of survival after missing a
host of chances today.


Derby (1) 1 (Eranio 45)
Arsenal (1) 2 (Kanu 21, Pires 80)

Derby are still in the relegation dog fight after Arsenal also left
it late to find a winner at Pride Park. Kanu put Arsenal ahead
midway through the first half, firing home Sylvain Wiltord's cross
from close range, however Derby levelled matters against the run of
play in first half stoppage time when Stefano Eranio stole in at the
far post to head home Rory Delap's deflected cross. Sub Robert Pires
found the winner with ten minutes to go, pouncing to score after
Poom had saved well from Wiltord. The Gunners stay in second place
and host Leeds next week!


Everton (0) 2 (Ferguson 47, Alexandersson 64)
Bradford (1) 1 (Myers 3)
MISSED PENALTIES : Blake (Bradford) 58, Carbone (Bradford) 66

Bradford are relegated after missing TWO penalties and losing the
lead at Goodison Park this afternoon. It began well for the Bantams,
taking the lead early on through Andy Myers who headed home a Benito
Carbone corner. They held the lead until half time, but it didn't
last much longer as Duncan Ferguson slotted home from close ranger
after Campbell had headed on Ball's throw. Ten minutes later, Steve
Watson fouled Carbone only for Robbie Blake's poor penalty to be
saved by Gerrard. Everton then rubbed salt into the wound as they
took the lead when Nik Alexandersson volleyed home after Gemmill's
cross had been helped on my Molenaar. Within two minutes, another
penalty as Steve Watson again was the culprit although his adjudged
handball was slightly unlucky. Carbone took the kick this time - and
skied it! They survived on the last day last season - its not going
to happen this time around as they become the first confirmed Prem
casualty this season. Everton however are safe after this victory.


Leeds United (0) 2 (Keane 85, Viduka 87)
Chelsea (0) 0

Leeds go third at least until Monday after two late goals saw off
Chelsea. Robbie Keane had been on the pitch for just four minutes
when he latched onto a flick from Eirik Bakke to break clear. His
first effort was blocked by Cudicini, however it bounced back
against the Irishman who was left with a tap in to an empty net. Two
minutes later, John Terry and Marcel Desailly
misjudged a long ball and Mark Viduka latched onto it to smash high
into the top corner from the edge of the box.


Manchester City (1) 1 (Goater 22)
West Ham (0) 0

Some doubt over whether the goal was actually an own goal by Ian
Pearce as he deflected a shot from Shaun Goater past Hislop after
good work from Alfie Haaland, however City won't care as they
survived a second half onslaught from West Ham to clinch three vital
points. City are still in the relegation zone but live to fight
another week, although they cannot afford any more defeats.


Middlesbrough (0) 0
Manchester United (1) 2 (Neville (P) 4, Beckham 84)

Boro are still not safe after losing to Man United goals at either
end of the encounter. Phil Neville of all people opened the scoring
early on when he collected a pass from David Beckham in midfield and
then crashed home a shot from all of 25 yards - his second league
goal for United and NOT his first as is being reported in certain
circles as he also scored at Chelsea in the 97-98 season. Victory
was confirmed late on when Beckham got into the act himself, firing
home from the edge of the box after good work from Ryan Giggs.


Newcastle (0) 1 (Cort 90)
Leicester (0) 0

Nothing left to play for either of these clubs and no surprise to
see a distinct lack of excitement between two of the Premiership's
most out of form clubs. Carl Cort's stoppage time winner condemned
Leicester to their eighth league defeat in a row - a new club
record. Leicester keeper Tim Flowers appeared to have Cort's effort
covered before it took a strong deflection off of Gary Rowett before
finding the net.


Southampton (0) 0
Sunderland (0) 1 (Kilbane 54)

Southampton continue to struggle since the departure of Glenn Hoddle
to North London and are still without a goal under Stuart Gray.
Kevin Kilbane's winner was a brilliant overhead kick as he connected
perfectly with Gavin McCann's free kick to fire home just under the
crossbar.


Tottenham (0) 0
Aston Villa (0) 0

Two more clubs with little to play for, although I guess that
European football is still a possibility for Villa. Either way
though, not a game for the video collection as Les Ferdinand missed
a sitter for Spurs, firing wide of an open goal from six yards,
whilst at the other end, Luke Young cleared off the line from Darius
Vassell.


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