Newz Forum: SOCCER: Barclays Premiership results 04/01/05

A Didier Drogba double helped Chelsea extend their lead at the top of the Barclays Premiership to seven points as second-placed Arsenal were held at home by Manchester City.

The Gunners drew 1-1 at Highbury, with England winger Shaun Wright-Phillips opening the scoring for the visitors in the 31st minute. Patrick Vieira gave away possession in his own half and after taking a touch to steady himself, Wright-Phillips drilled a right-foot shot beyond Manuel Almunia. Defeat was unthinkable for the Gunners and they equalised with 15 minutes to go as an inspired Thierry Henry overhead kick was headed home by Freddie Ljungberg.


While the north Londoners stumbled, Chelsea strolled to a 2-0 win at home to Middlesbrough. Frank Lampard played a one-two with Arjen Robben before slotting the ball through to Drogba, who held off Boro captain Gareth Southgate to slot home in the 15th minute. Lampard then laid on Drogba's second of the game and ninth of the season two minutes later, his free-kick into the centre headed home by the Ivorian striker. Chelsea had plenty of further chances to add to their tally, with Damien Duff hitting the crossbar early in the second half.


Manchester United are now 11 points behind Jose Mourinho's side in third, but it should have been 12 after an incredible let-off against Tottenham. United had dominated the match but a hopeful lob by Pedro Mendes in the last minute was fumbled well over the goalline by Roy Carroll, but amazingly no goal was given by referee Mark Clattenburg and the match ended 0-0. The closest United had come was when Noe Pamarot's attempted clearance struck the inside of his own post, with Ledley King just getting to the loose ball first.


Fourth-placed Everton bounced back from two straight defeats on the road with a last-gasp 2-1 victory against Portsmouth at Goodison Park. Blues captain Alan Stubbs, back in the side after injury, headed a corner past Shaka Hislop in the 29th minute. But Pompey were level within seconds when a long throw caused confusion in the home defence and Aiyegbeni Yakubu drove an unstoppable shot past Richard Wright. Everton piled on the pressure and grabbed the winner when Stubbs' hopeful ball into the box fell to Leon Osman, and he drove a shot high past Hislop.


Bolton, who had not won any of their last 10 Premiership matches, snatched a 2-1 victory at Birmingham thanks to a last-minute Kevin Nolan goal. Wanderers forged ahead after 16 minutes when El-Hadji Diouf was first to react when Maik Taylor parried an acrobatic volley by Jay-Jay Okocha. Birmingham, who dropped Robbie Savage after he requested a transfer, managed to draw level after 65 minutes. Emile Heskey nodded a corner towards Clinton Morrison, whose overhead kick struck the angle of post and crossbar and centre-back Matthew Upson was on hand to score. However, Bolton claimed maximum points and moved above the Blues into 11th when Taylor fumbled Okocha's shot and Nolan pounced.

Sportinglife

whats this, man utd should have got beat and the ref bottled it? theres a suprise lol.

and arsenal drew too. with chelsea winning yet again, they just dont slip up

I did say in another thread Man City would give Arsenal a tough game and they nearly beat them. Looks like Everton got back on the winning track aswell..

everton putting on the pressure for 4th space, perhaps even 3rd

and yip. i remember that TRD, just looks like arsenal are to far behind now. as soon as they get going, they slip up. chelsea, just win

Unless Chelsea slip up big time, which i can't see them doing. They have one hand on the title already. They are going to be extremely difficult to catch now.

Yeah Everton just signed Beattie so they should be able to mount a bigger challenege. Even challenge for the second spot.

OMG!!!!

I just watched the Spurs v Man U game and Mendez hit the ball from the halfway line towards the Man U goal. The ball was definatly in the net it was plain to see. I can't believe they never gave it. It was a bloody disgrace.......