ACTUALITE |
25.02.2002
Arsenal move into second
ARSENAL took advantage of Liverpool`s 1-1 draw with Everton and moved into second place, easily beating Fulham 4-1 at Higbury.
The Gunners remain six points behind leaders Manchester United, but they move above Newcastle and Liverpool - who were forced to come from behind at Anfield against Everton.
Arsenal took the lead at Highbury when Lauren grabbed his first goal in 13 months as he converted Sylvan Wiltord`s cross after just five minutes. But Fulham came back and Steve Marlet grabbed his sixth goal of the season to level matters after five minutes later.
However, Arsenal came back strong and captain Patrick Vieira restored their lead just five minutes later. Thierry Henry latched on to a poor back pass and squared the ball for his compatriot to convert.
Henry then made it 3-1 just before half time when he fired home from 16 yards out, after Wiltord once again created the chance.
Henry was not finished, however, and he became The Premiership`s top-scorer with his 20th goal of the season after 59 minutes when he scrambled home after a cross from Lauren.
Liverpool lost ground in the title race, but will be thankful for the point they only just gained at Anfield.
Everton took the lead just a few minutes into the second half when Alessandro Pistone broke down the left and crossed for substitute Tomasz Radzinski who beat the unsighted Chris Kirkland at his near post.
Liverpool introduced Emile Heskey to the action and he soon played a role in the equaliser. Michael Owen turned his man, and played the ball through to Heskey, who in turn supplied Danny Murphy. The former Crewe man then fed Nicolas Anelka who pounced to score his first league goal in Liverpool colours.
The Reds pushed forward looking for the winner, but Everton held out for the valuable point which helps to ease their relegation fears.
Bottom-of-the-table Leicester City are now on borrowed time in The Premiership, after they went down 3-0 at home to their nearest relegation rivals Derby County.
Derby deserved their win and took the lead after 53 minutes when Malcolm Christie created a chance for Georgi Kinkladze, whose deflected effort left Foxes keeper Ian Walker flat-footed and with no chance - the goal was only Derby`s sixth away effort of the season.
Derby then doubled their lead when Belgian Branko Strupar - playing his first Premiership game since March 2001 - scored from close range.
County sealed the win in the last minute when substitute Lee Morris scored after more good work from Christie.
Derby`s only real problem of the afternoon came after 27 minutes, when Andy Oakes was knocked unconscious following a challenge from Leicester striker James Scowcroft. This meant they were forced to introduce Swiss international goalkeeper Patrick Foletti after just 27 minutes for his Premiership debut.
But, despite his abrupt arrival, Foletti did well and remained untested for the rest of the game - just 24 hours after he completed his move from Luzern.
Bolton will be happy with their 0-0 draw at Southampton, after The Saints dominated proceedings at St Mary`s.
Youri Djorkaeff was largely ineffective on his Bolton debut, but Sam Allardyce`s will be pleased with his side - especially goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen who was outstanding.
Saints` cause was not ended with just a five minutes remaining when Rory Delap was dismissed.
A horrendous error from Australian international Mark Schwarzer gifted West Ham all three points at Upton Park.
The Hammers were the better team, but the game looked to be heading for a 0-0 draw with Boro defending well.
But then on 76 minutes Schwarzer picked up the ball in the right back area and instead of clearing the ball, he played the ball inside only for Vladimir Labant to intercept and he crossed for Frederic Kanoute, who was left with a simple finish.
Boro`s chances of getting back into the game all but disappeared when Ugo Ehiogu was sent off for a second yellow card - the second year running the big centre half has seen red at Upton Park.
Click here to read match report from Saturday`s early game between Manchester United and Aston Villa.
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