Newz Forum: SOCCER: Barclays Premiership results 23/10/04

An Eidur Gudjohnsen hat-trick ensured Chelsea regained second place in the Barclays Premiership and kept the pressure on Arsenal ahead of the Gunners' crunch clash with Manchester United.

Gudjohnsen's quick-fire treble earned Chelsea a 4-0 victory over Blackburn at Stamford Bridge to reduce the gap at the top of the table. After struggling to break the deadlock in the early stages at Stamford Bridge, the previously goal-shy Chelsea broke the deadlock after 37 minutes thanks to the Icelandic striker.

Almost straight from the restart Gudjohnsen struck again to give Jose Mourinho's side a massive boost going into the break. They increased the lead from the penalty spot after Craig Short had fouled Gudjohnsen, who took the kick himself.

And Damien Duff handed Rovers their second 4-0 hammering in as many games following last week's defeat by Middlesbrough with a well-struck free-kick.

Chelsea's win meant Everton's stay in second place in the Premiership did not last long despite their hard-fought 3-2 win over Norwich in the lunchtime kick-off.

Duncan Ferguson clinched Everton's winner at Carrow Road as Norwich's fightback from 2-0 down proved to be in vain.

After taking the lead thanks to Kevin Kilbane's cool finish after some early pressure from Norwich, Marcus Bent had seemingly put the game beyond the goal-shy Canaries with a 40th-minute strike following a splendid Everton move.

However, Leon McKenzie and Damien Francis scored to bring Norwich level but the home fans' hearts were broken 17 minutes from time when Ferguson headed home Steve Watson's cross to ensure the Toffees kept up their impressive form.

Henrik Pedersen grabbed the winner as Bolton penetrated Tottenham's miserly defence twice to win 2-1 on the day that White Hart Lane mourned the passing of former manager Bill Nicholson.

Radhi Jaidi had put the visitors ahead in the first half before Robbie Keane equalised just before the break, but Pedersen struck 15 minutes from time to compound Spurs' misery.



Liverpool moved into fifth spot after two second-half goals lf disposed of Charlton 2-0.

The Reds had wasted numerous chances in a goalless first half but found their target with deadly accuracy after the break.

First, John Arne Riise volleyed them ahead after 52 minutes when the Addicks failed to clear a corner.

But that 20-yard strike was overshadowed 20 minutes when Luis Garcia picked up a loose ball 25 yards out and crashed an unstoppable shot past Dean Kiley.


In-form striker Andy Johnson scored twice as Crystal Palace handed fellow relegation candidates West Brom a 3-0 beating at Selhurst Park.

Defender Fitz Hall headed Iain Dowie's men ahead just five minutes in before Martin Albrechtsen fouled Johnson in the box and the diminutive striker converted the penalty himself.

A fantastic solo effort from Johnson after 50 minutes wrapped up the points for Palace, as he picked up the ball on the halfway line, drove forward with the ball at his feet before unleashing a spectacular long-range drive.

Nolberto Solano and Lee Hendrie were on target to hand Aston Villa a 2-0 win at home to struggling Fulham. Solano's free-kick gave Villa a half-time lead before Hendrie's 75th-minute strike.

Sportinglife