Newz Forum: SOCCER: Barclays Premiership results 06/11/04

Chelsea are two points clear at the top of the Barclays Premiership after Dutch wing king Arjen Robben fired them to a 1-0 victory over Everton at Stammford Bridge.

The Blues finally broke the deadlock 18 minutes from time and it was the impressive Robben who found a way through, shrugging off numerous challenges to produce a composed finish past Nigel Martyn to deny the Toffees a point.


Arsenal had the chance to regain top spot in the late game at Crystal Palace, but were held to an entertaining 1-1 draw. Iain Dowie's side really gave Arsene Wenger's champions a stern examination and fully deserved their point. The Gunners went ahead on 63 minutes when Thierry Henry tapped home Freddie Ljungberg's low cross from close range. But almost immediately Palace were level, Aki Riihilahti neting the vital equaliser. The home side then had a golden chance to complete a famous victory, but Vassilis Lakis somehow fired over from a couple of yards out.


A late Tottenham fightback was not enough against Charlton as caretaker boss Martin Jol was handed a 3-2 defeat in his first match in charge, following Jacques Santini's departure. Charlton, inspired by Danny Murphy, took the lead when Shaun Bartlett turned the ball into the far corner with a sublime finish after shaky defending by Noureddine Naybet.

And Bartlett doubled his tally six minutes before the break with a brilliant header from Luke Young's cross. After the break, Bartlett turned provider, playing in youngster Jerome Thomas whose shot deflected off Ledley King's boots to wrong-foot Paul Robinson and make it 3-0. Bartlett went from hero to villain, however, when he was ajudged to have handled the ball and after being given his marching orders, Robbie Keane converted the resulting penalty to spark a Spurs fightback. Things looked worrying for Charlton when Tottenham when Spurs managed to pull another goal back but despite their best efforts, it was too much to ask.


A late goal by Darren Anderton handed Birmingham a shock 1-0 win against Liverpool at Anfield. Neither side could break the deadlock for the majority of the game with Liverpool missing what few chances were created. And they were made to pay when Birmingham, with a striker crisis of their own, pounced to steal all three points. Robbie Savage's corner was met by Matthew Upson, whose impressive header fell to Anderton who simply tapped the ball over the line to earn a victory.


Blackburn denied Norwich their first win of the season with a late Paul Dickov equaliser. Blackburn faced the second half with just 10 men after striker Jay Bothroyd was sent off for violent conduct in the first half. Mathias Svensson's smart shot zipped between Brad Friedel's legs to put the Suffolk side ahead but the Canaries were cruelly denied when Paul Dickov popped up to salvage a point for Rovers.


Southampton salvaged a draw with a late, fortuitous equaliser against West Brom to finish the game 2-2. Saints broke the deadlock when Anders Svensson scored but Jonathan Greening equalised seconds later when his header slipped through the grasp of young goalkeeper Alan Blayney. And Robert Earnshaw broke his duck to put Albion ahead before the break, capitalising on a poor clearance which he blasted home. But when so many Saints fans had gone home, a Svensson's shot deflected off Paul Robinson and into the net.


Three first-half goals were enough to guarantee Aston Villa a comfortable 3-0 win at home to Portsmouth in the day's early kick-off. Pompey failed to find their rhythm early on and were punished when youngster Peter Whittingham met Carlton Cole's cross to sidefoot the ball past Shaka Hislop. And things went from bad to worse for Portsmouth when Juan Pablo Angel was allowed to dance around the penalty area before a well-taken shot went beyond Hislop, who should have got down quicker to make the save. Winger Nolberto Solano wrapped it up before the break to ensure Villa had a leisurely second half.


Sportinglife