Newz Forum: SOCCER: Barclays Premiership results 30/10/04

Arsenal were forced to come from behind to salvage a dramatic point in a 2-2 draw at Highbury after Southampton had taken an 85th-minute lead, allowing Chelsea to draw level on points at the top of the Barclays Premiership.

Thierry Henry missed the chance to put the Gunners ahead at Highbury when his penalty hit the post, while saves from goalkeeper Antti Niemi kept Southampton level. Henry made amends in the second half, and after being set up by Dennis Bergkamp, slotted home after 67 minutes. But 10 minutes from time the Arsenal defence was caught out as Saints midfielder Rory Delap exposed the home side's frailties with a goal - and five minutes later he stunned Highbury with a free-kick which beat the sprawling Jens Lehmann. However, substitute Robin van Persie scored a last-gasp equaliser to stave off an embarrassing home reverse for Arsene Wenger's side.


Chelsea took advantage with a comfortable 4-1 win at West Brom after a difficult first half. They finally found a way through West Brom's resilient defence when the Baggies were caught napping on the stroke of half-time and William Gallas nipped in to prod Frank Lampard's corner home. Eidur Gudjohnsen extended the lead after 51 minutes and after Zoltan Gera pulled one back to make it 2-1, Chelsea scored again, Damien Duff seemingly putting the game beyond their hosts. And Lampard, the mastermind of Chelsea's victory, grabbed a goal for himself nine minutes from the end.


Manchester United's season stuttered again as Portsmouth sent them crashing to a 2-0 defeat at Fratton Park. After dominating the first half, Portsmouth took the lead after 53 minutes when Gabriel Heinze clumsily fouled Ricardo Fuller in the box, and David Unsworth coolly slotted the spot-kick home. And as United pushed for an equaliser, it was the home side who scored the next goal when Aiyegbeni Yakubu's shot was deflected past Roy Carroll.


Middlesbrough emerged victorious on the road, beating Charlton 2-1 at the Valley. A scramble in the penalty area resulted in a goal to the visitors when Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's shot deflected off Talal El Karkouri after 21 minutes. But Charlton started the second half looking like a different team and Jonatan Johansson managed to fashion a leveller a minute into the half. But Boro hit back again through Bolo Zenden shortly before the hour - and Steve McClaren's side held on for the win.


Another Lee Hendrie wonder-strike put Aston Villa in front against Everton at Goodison Park but Marcus Bent grabbed his fifth goal of the season as the match ended in stalemate.


Fulham were able to breach Tottenham's once water-tight defence twice as they ran out 2-0 victors at Craven Cottage. Good build-up play by the home side was rewarded as Portuguese forward Luis Boa Morte found a way through and provided the finish to put Chris Coleman's strugglers ahead. And Andy Cole got back into the groove following his suspension after 61 minutes, compounding Spurs' misery.


In the day's early kick-off, Birmingham's miserable run continued as former Blues striker Andy Johnson scored the winner for Crystal Palace on his return to St Andrews. Johnson's strike - his eighth of the season - handed Palace a vital away win in the lunchtime kick-off. The 41st-minute goal proved enough as Birmingham, with only one win all season, failed to muster a response as numerous half-chances came and went in the second half.

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