Sunday 16th August 1998

FA Carling Premiership

Southampton (1) 1        Liverpool (1) 2
Ostenstad 36            Riedle 39
                        Owen 73

Man on the moment Micheal Owen scored one and made the other as Liverpool came
from behind to beat Southampton at the Dell today.
Liverpool began brightly and could have scored three times early on with Jones
saving well from both Ince (within 20 seconds) and then Micheal Owen, Jason
McAteer had a shot blocked. Saints survived and steadied themselves and
ultimately took the lead, a goal which once again showed off Liverpool`s
defensive frailties. Carlton Palmer found Ripley on the right and his
deflected cross was met by Egil Ostenstad to plant a header in the corner,
although it looked as though Ince may have got the final touch. As Saints
looked to hold out until the break, they actually held out for three minutes
when Owen turned provider and crossed for Karl Heinz Riedle to thump a header
past Jones, although the keeper got hands to it. The game was now set for a
fine second half and although chances were at a premium, the game was rarely
dull and was settled on 73 minutes when Owen struck. A long throw was headed
on by Ince, a stretching Jones failed to hold it and Owen lashed the ball home
from 6 yards. He`d earlier given us a rare chink in his armour when he mis
controlled the ball with only Jones to beat. Late on Matt Le Tissier shot
inches wide as Saints looked for an eqauliser, Le Tissier played for the final
22 minutes but was largely quiet unlike 18 year old sub for Saints Wayne
Bridge who I must admit to be pretty impressed with. Three points for
Liverpool then and Saints have failed to win their opening game for the past
10 seasons.
--
Gary Dowden

Saturday 15th August 1998

FA Carling Premiership

Blackburn (0) 0       Derby (0) 0

New signing Kevin Davies had a number of chances to win this game for
Blackburn however the Derby defence held firm for a good away point.


Coventry (2) 2        Chelsea (1) 1
Huckerby 11           Poyet 35
Dublin 16

The multi-nationals of Chelsea dominated after a dodgy opening 30 minutes,
however by then the damage was done thanks to the strike force up front of
Coventry. Dublin`s header was a cracker apparently.



Everton (0) 0         Aston Villa (0) 0
(Collins miss pen 9)

A debut to forget for John Collins as he missed an early penalty and the
chance to give Everton a dream start. Deadlock and a point each.



Man United (0) 2      Leicester (1) 2
Sheringham 80         Heskey 7
Beckham 90            Cottee 78

Well United couldn`t beat a Leicester side that took full advantage of their
poor defence to take a 2-0 lead late on. United were rescued by a Beckham free
kick a full FIVE minutes into stoppage time.


Middlesbrough (0) 0   Leeds United (0) 0

Dire stuff at the Riverside with Middlesbrough poor and Leeds only slightly
better. On the plus side, Leeds are unbeaten away from home so far this
season.



Newcastle (0) 0       Charlton (0) 0
                      (Rufus sent off 25)

The Toon army booed their team off the pitch as they failed to beat a team
that reached the Prem via the play offs and were down to 10 men early on as
Richard Rufus saw red for an off the ball clash with Dazibas


Sheff Wed (0) 0       West Ham (0) 1
                      Wright 84

Late debut strike for Ian Wright as West Ham continue where they left off last
season. Wednesday were poor and the Hammers deserved their victory.


Wimbledon (0) 3       Spurs (0) 1
Earle 48              Fox 75
Ekoku 59, 89

Everyones relagation faves (Wimbledon) are at it again as the likes of
Ferdinand, Ginola and Armstrong were killed off in the second half as
Wimbledon set out to conpound their critics again.


Playing Sunday: Southampton V Liverpool
Playing Monday: Arsenal V Nottm Forest
--
Gary Dowden - Joint Administrator (ISFA) Premiership Mailing List
Leeds United and Scotland and proud of it

http://www.footiemad.demon.co.uk