Newz Forum: SOCCER: Barclays Premiership results 21/08/04

Alan Smith's 50th-minute strike helped Manchester United edge past Norwich 2-1 at Old Trafford. Smith swivelled and fired a superb effort past Robert Green to add to David Bellion's first half strike. But sub Paul McVeigh's 70th minute effort set up a grandstand finish in which he and Leon McKenzie both came close to equalising.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho brought on Joe Cole after 62 minutes against Birmingham and the midfielder scored the winner within six minutes in the Barclays Premiership clash. Mourinho's side are now top of the league, with Arsenal playing on Sunday. Steve Bruce fielded three former Chelsea players but none could grab an opener against their old team at St Andrews. Muzzy Izzet, Jesper Gronkjaer and Mario Melchiot all started for the Blues but it was Didier Drogba who had the best chance of the first half when he missed from a few yards out after pouncing on a defensive error. The Ivory Coast striker could have doubled the lead when he was sent through late on but he blazed over the bar.

Newcastle dominated their clash with Tottenham at St James' Park but the visitors grabbed a 1-0 win. Cameroon defender Timothee Atouba curled a right-footed effort past Shay Given after 51 minutes to give Jacques Santini's side the points. Alan Shearer had a penalty shout when he was bundled over in the penalty area - but it was turned down. Kieron Dyer was brought off the bench and was booed by Newcastle fans - and he could not win them round by inspiring an equaliser.

Manchester City's Nicolas Anelka scored against former club Liverpool - but they still lost 2-1 at Anfield. The France international scored after a mistake from Jerzy Dudek in the last moments of the first half but Milan Baros equalised for Rafael Benitez's side when he received a pass from Steven Gerrard and finished past David James. Baros was then bundled over by Sylvain Distin but Graham Poll waved play on. Gerrard scored after 75 minutes when he latched onto a rebound after James saved from Baros. Richard Dunne received a second yellow card late on for the visitors.

Fulham returned to Craven Cottage after a two-year absence and Andy Cole grabbed both goals in a 2-0 win against Bolton. The former Blackburn striker opened his account for Chris Coleman's side after five minutes when he scrambled the ball past Jussi Jaaskelainen following a drilled shot from Zat Knight. He grabbed a second after 82 minutes, which was also the 200th league goal of his career.

Elsewhere a Mark Hudson header gave Crystal Palace an early lead at Selhurst Park against Everton but the visitors struck back and took the points. The centre-back got on the end of a deep Wayne Routledge cross after nine minutes and beat former Eagles stopper Nigel Martyn. David Moyes' men equalised after 19 minutes when Thomas Gravesen scored from the penalty spot after Kevin Campbell was brought down by keeper Julian Speroni. Gravesen scored his second when he curled in a spectacular effort past Speroni just after an hour. Gary Naysmith was sent off for the Toffees but Marcus Bent scored a late third to seal the 3-1 win.

A mistake from Portsmouth goalkeeper Shaka Hislop handed Charlton the points at The Valley. The home side went ahead on 23 minutes when Kevin Lisbie's cross could not be cleared by Pompey defender Linvoy Primus and Jason Euell finished from eight yards. Portsmouth equalised seven minutes after the break when Patrik Berger scored from 35 yards but Hislop could not stop David Unsworth's backpass three minutes from full time.

Earlier on Saturday James Beattie coolly slotted home a stoppage-time penalty to earn Southampton a 3-2 win over Blackburn on Saturday afternoon and ease the pressure on Paul Sturrock. Sturrock has endured a torrid start to the season, with chairman Rupert Lowe refusing to give him his full backing and star striker James Beattie constantly linked with a move to Aston Villa. Things started well for the Saints boss, though, with Kevin Phillips stabbing home the opener from close range on 32 minutes. The game was then turned on its head after the half-time introduction of Lucas Neill and Paul Dickov, with the latter setting up skipper Barry Ferguson's equaliser on 50 minutes and then controlling Brett Emerton's 68th-minute cross and lashing a shot past Antti Niemi. Anders Svensson's stunning first-time strike on 74 drew Saints level as the game entered a pulsating climax - and after Craig Short challenged Beattie in the penalty box late on, the England striker coolly converted the resulting spot-kick.

Sporting Life

[Edited on 21/8/04 by TRD]