Newz Forum: SOCCER: Barclays Premiership results 23/01/05

Arsenal kept their fading Premiership title hopes alive with a 1-0 Highbury victory over Newcastle United on Sunday.

Dennis Bergkamp's 19th-minute strike was enough to take the reigning champions back above Manchester United into second spot. But Arsene Wenger's team have it all to do to retain their crown - they still trail leaders Chelsea by 10 points.

Bergkamp's match-winner came courtesy of a sublime finish to top off a confident start by the home side. The Dutchman latched onto a pass from Mathieu Flamini to slot the ball beyond the flat-footed Shay Given. Arsenal dominated the game throughout but failed to get the goals their superiority deserved. Thierry Henry hit a post in the second half and Newcastle were indebted to Given for a string of superb saves, particularly after the interval.

A miserable afternoon for the visitors was completed when 8million defensive acquisition Jean-Alain Boumsong limped off with a hamstring injury midway through the second half. They offered little as an attacking force, with Alan Shearer and Shola Ameobi starved of service up front. Afterwards Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira warned Chelsea not to expect an easy path to the title.

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