26 DECEMBER 2002

Birmingham (1) 1 (Kirovski 45)
Everton (1) 1 (Radzinski 44)
RED CARD : Rooney (Everton) 81

17-year old wonderkid Wayne Rooney was red carded for the first time in his
career as Everton were held at Birmingham. A dull first half burst into life
late on with two goals in as many minutes. Tomasz Radzinski gave the visitors
the lead, latching onto a through ball from Thomas Gravesen to slot home from a
tight angle, however almost immediately, Jovan Kirovski headed in a Stan
Lazaridis cross to level matters. Rooney then came on as a sub and within
fifteen minutes, caught Steve Vickers with a studs first tackle to earn a
somewhat harsh straight red card.


Bolton (3) 4 (Okocha 4, Gardner 9, Ricketts 45, 63)
Newcastle (1) 3 (Shearer 8, 79, Ameobi 71)

Goals galore at the Reebok as title chasing Newcastle lost a seven goal thriller
against relegation battlers Bolton. The game exploded early on with three goals
in the opening ten minutes. Jay-Jay Okocha began the fun & games with a 25 yard
shot into the top corner after being found by Ricardo Gardner, however Alan
Shearer equalised having been set up by Kieron Dyer. Within a minute, Gardner
curled home a beauty of a free kick and on half time, Michael Ricketts added a
third with a powerful header from a Per Frandsen cross. He then added his
second, and Bolton's fourth, when he intercepted Gary Speed's poor back pass to
slot home. Newcastle fought back though and Shola Ameobi reduced the deficit
with a deflected shot from the edge of the area, before Shearer netted his
second with a scorching drive from long range after a free kick had been tapped
to him.


Chelsea (0) 0
Southampton (0) 0

Chelsea lost ground on leaders Arsenal with a goalless draw at home to
Southampton. The Londoners had the best chances, notably through Gianfranco
Zola who cracked a shot against a post from close range, and Marcel Desailly
whose late effort was deflected over by his own team mate, William Gallas.


Liverpool (1) 1 (Riise 17)
Blackburn (1) 1 (Cole 77)

Eight games without a win for Liverpool now after an Andy Cole screamer earned
Blackburn a point at Anfield. John Arne Riise gave the hosts the lead, firing
home courtesy of a deflection after being found by Michael Owen. Cole had
earlier missed a couple of great chances, however after latching onto Stephane
Henchoz's clearing header, he unleashed a superb 30 yard volley with tore into
the net.


Man City (1) 3 (Foe 15, 80, Benarbia 78)
Aston Villa (1) 1 (Dublin 41)

Man City left it late to see off Aston Villa who are still without an away win
all season. Marc Vivien Foe gave the home side the lead with a shot from the
edge of the area after Shaun Goater had set him up, however Dion Dublin
equalised with a tap in after J.Lloyd Samuel's cut back. Enter Ali Benarbia
regained the lead for City with a diving header from Nik Anelka's cross and then
found a delightful chip for Foe to round the keeper and slot in.


Middlesbrough (1) 3 (Boksic 44, Nemeth 48, Job 85)
Man United (0) 1 (Giggs 60)

Two defeats on the bounce for Man United despite dominating possession,
especially in the second half. Alen Boksic gave Boro the lead at the end of the
first half, clipping over Fabien Barthez after Franck Queudrue had played him
in. The lead was doubled after the break when Slizard Nemeth held off the
attentions of John O'Shea before firing home inside the near post, however
United pulled one back when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's cross was netted from close
range by Ryan Giggs. Boro clinched the points late on when Geremi's cross was
headed across goal by Massimo Maccarone for Joseph Desire Job to tap home.


Sunderland (1) 1 (Proctor 34)
Leeds (0) 2 (Milner 51, Fowler (pen) 80)

James Milner became the youngest ever Premiership goalscorer as Leeds came
from behind to beat fellow strugglers Sunderland. The hosts took the lead when
Michael Proctor headed in off the bar from a Kevin Phillips cross, however after
half time, Milner scored from close range after Jason Wilcox had crossed from
the right. Milner's goal beat Wayne Rooney's record by just four days. Late on,
Harry Kewell was tripped by Proctor in the area, allowing Robbie Fowler to slot
home the penalty.


Spurs (0) 2 (Keane 68, Iversen 87)
Charlton (1) 2 (Euell 14, 49)
RED CARD : Ziege (Spurs) 90

Christian Ziege was sent off for the second time in four days as Spurs came from
behind to draw against Charlton. Jason Euell gave the hosts a two goal lead,
firstly when he latched onto a deflected Kevin Lisbie cross to fire home, and
then scoring at the second attempt having been sent clear, Lisbie again the
provider. Robbie Keane crashed home a volley after Steffan Iversen's header had
set him up and the Iversen scored himself, heading home Simon Davies's cross to
make it 2-2. Ziege's second yellow card arrived in stoppage time when he caught
Scott Parker late.


West Brom (1) 1 (Dichio 3)
Arsenal (0) 2 (Jeffers 48, Henry 85)

Arsenal move four points clear at the top after coming from behind to beat
struggling West Brom. Danny Dichio gave the Baggies the lead, crashing in a
header from a Jason Koumas header, however early in the second half, forgotten
striker Francis Jeffers equalised after Thierry Henry's cross was diverted into
his path. Henry then snatched a late winner after Patrick Vieira charged down a
clearance by Adam Chambers.


West Ham (0) 1 (Sinclair (pen) 65)
Fulham (0) 1 (Sava 49)
RED CARD : Repka (West Ham) 90

Still no home win for West Ham who came from behind to earn a draw with
London rivals Fulham. Facundo Sava gave the visitors the lead, sliding in at
the far post to convert Steve Finnan's cross, however Trevor Sinclair levelled
from the penalty spot after Sylvain Legwinski had handled in the area. Thomas
Repka was red carded in stoppage time for a fierce display of dissent aimed
at the referee.


Gary Dowden - Joint Admin Topica Premier-L list
Leeds United and Scotland and proud of it
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