23 SEPTEMBER 2002

Fulham (0) 0
Chelsea (0) 0

No goals in the West London derby as Chelsea move into third place. They
created the better of the chances, despite Fulham having the better
possession, as Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Robert Huth both had decent
effort saved, whilst Junichi Inomoto came closest for Fulham just before
half time, but Cudicini was equal to his shot.


22 SEPTEMBER 2002

Blackburn (1) 1 (Flitcroft 23)
Leeds United (0) 0
MISSED PEN : Smith (Leeds) 66

Blackburn move into a comfortable mid-table position after denying Leeds
second place with a  1-0 win. Blackburn took the lead courtesy of a mistake
from Ian Harte. The Irish international was robbed on the Rovers right by
Keith Gillespie, who crossed for Garry Flitcroft to drive home thanks to a
slight deflection. In the second half, Leeds were awarded a penalty after
Henning Berg handled in the area. Up stepped Alan Smith, whose kick was
awful and saved by Friedel.


Aston Villa (1) 3 (Hendrie 7, 48, Dublin 85)
Everton (0) 2 (Radzinski 50, Campbell 66)

Villa ease their recent concerns with a hard fought victory against Everton,
who came from two goals down to equalise at one stage. The hosts took the
lead early as ball was played into Darius Vassell on the edge of the area
and as he held the ball up, along came Lee Hendrie to chip a delightful
curling effort over Richard Wright and into the net. In the second half,
Hendrie doubled his tally and the lead, volleying home after Gareth Barry
had headede back Ulises De La Cruz's cross. Everton fought back and pulled a
goal back within two minutes. Thomas Gravesen was the architect as he cut in
from the left and slotted the ball in for Tomasz Radzinski. He twisted on
the edge of the area and cut his shot across the area and into the far
bottom corner. Kevin Campbell then equalised with a near post header from a
corner, however late sub Dion Dublin clinched all three points when he
scrambled home Olaf Mellberg's header.


21 SEPTEMBER 2002

Arsenal (1) 2 (Henry 26, Kanu 90)
Bolton (0) 1 (Farrelly 47)
MISSED PEN : Henry (Arsenal) 16
RED CARD : Campo (Bolton) 81

Arsenal had a few problems seeing off Bolton, needing a goal very deep into
stoppage time to finally kill off their stubborn resistance. The Gunners had
a golden chance to take an early lead after Freddie Ljungberg was hauled
back in the area by Gudni Bergsson, however Thierry Henry cracked his
penalty against the post and across goal to safety. Bolton's relief lasted
just ten minutes as the same pair combined again, the Swede sending the
Frenchman through on goal, and this time Henry rounded Jussi Jaaskelainen to
slot home. Just after the break, Bolton equalised. Gareth Farrelly was the
scorer, however it was another horror show for David Seaman, who could not
believe it as the midfielder's deep cross nestled into the net at the far
post. Ivan Campo was red carded for Bolton for a second bookable offence,
kicking the ball away as Arsenal prepared to take a free kick and it proved
just too much for the visitors to hang on. With time running out, Arsenal
snatched a sensational late winner deep into stoppage time. A long cross
from Ashley Cole was not dealt with the away defence and in slid Nwanko Kanu
to poach a goal from close range.


Liverpool (0) 2 (Baros 56, Riise 90)
West Brom (0) 0
RED CARD : Hoult (West Brom) 35
MISSED PEN : Owen (Liverpool) 36

Liverpool moved into second place, although they also stuttered slightly
ahead to their opening goal. Before half time, Michael Owen burst through on
goal only to be brought down by keeper Russell Hoult. A penalty was awarded
as was a red card for Hoult, who was replaced in goal by debutant Joe
Murphy, who then stunned the Anfield crowd by saving Owen's weak spot kick.
Liverpool took the lead when Steven Gerrard's deep far post cross was
perfect for Milan Baros to head home. In stoppage time, Danny Murphy did
well on the left to cross, Owen helped it back to John Arne Riise who
crashed home off the post.


Manchester United (0) 1 (Van Nistelrooy (pen) 63)
Tottenham (0) 0

Manchester United dominated against Spurs, but needed a disputed penalty to
clinch the points. Ruud van Nistelrooy converted coolly after Ole Gunnar
Solskjaer was ruled to have been fouled by Gary Doherty, although replays
showed little contact, although a few minutes earlier, Van Nistelrooy looked
to have been fouled in the area and nothing was given.


Middlesbrough (1) 1 (Queudrue 29)
Birmingham (0) 0

Middlesbrough continued their decent start with a narrow win against
Birmingham. Franck Queudrue scored the only goal, a curling free kick from
the edge of the area.


Newcastle (2) 2 (Bellamy 2, Shearer 38)
Sunderland (0) 0

Newcastle won the Tyne-Wear derby to move out of the bottom three. Within
two minutes, Craig Bellamy opened the scoring, slotting home after Kieron
Dyer had sent him through. Alan Shearer wrapped up the points, crashing home
a free kick on the edge of the area.


Southampton (0) 0
Charlton (0) 0

No goals at St Mary's, although Jo Tessem came closest for Saints with a
header which was cleared off the line by Chris Powell.


West Ham (0) 0
Manchester City (0) 0

Goalless also at Upton Park, although Nik Anelka had the best chance of the
game, but was denied by David James whilst clean through.


Gary Dowden
Chief Editor SoccerAge UK
http://www.soccerage.com
gary@soccerage.com
garydowden@blueyonder.co.uk