STANDINGS

(Abbreviated week due to Euro qualifiers)

FA Carling Premiership

Wednesday 9th September 1998

Chelsea (0) 0        Arsenal (0) 0
                     (Dixon sent off 61)

Chelsea still look for their first league win of the season after a goalless
game which saw chances at a premium.
In a first half in which Chelsea had the better possesion, Arsenal had a great
chance at either end of the half. Early on an inswinging corner caused
problems at De Goey did very well to palm the ball away and late on Anelka
drove a shot across goal and wide. Aside from that Arsenal were restricted to
long range efforts. Chelsea for all their neat build up and one touch play,
only had one chance of note, Zola`s outstanding long range curling effort was
somehow tipped over by Seaman. You always felt that tempers were simmerimg
with head-to-head confrontations between Keown & Casaraghi early on and then
Le Saux and Dixon squared up. The second half saw that fact confirmed just 15
minutes in, which Dixon fouled Le Saux and despite claiming that the Chelsea
player dived, off went Dixon with his second yellow card and Arsenal`s second
red in as many games. With the man advantage Chelsea still struggled to break
the visitors down, their best chance looked to be penalty claims, although
one, a Vieria tackle of Casaraghi did look a clear cut penalty. The Italian
had two late efforts go harmlessly safe and Poyet flashed a header wide.
Dennis Bergkamp closest for the visitors with a long range effort that the
keeper kept out with his feet. Not pretty but a good away point for Arsenal.


Aston Villa (0) 1    Newcastle (0) 0
Hendrie 63 (pen)

Villa remain unbeaten and Gullit still apparently has some sorting out to do
at St James Park. Villa go second.


Derby (1) 1          Sheff Wed (0) 0
Sturridge 23

Good three points for Derby as Sheff Wed continue their uncertain and
irregular opening to the season.


Leicester (0) 0      Middlesbrough (1) 1
                     Gascoigne 45

First ever Premiership goal for Gazza as he lifts the doom & gloom at the
Riverside, notably since the departure of Merson.


Liverpool (1) 2      Coventry (0) 0
Berger 25
Redknapp 48

Liverpool regain top position with a goal in each half against a Coventry side
that won at Anfield in the FA Cup last season.


Man United (2) 4     Charlton (1) 1
Solsjkaer 38, 63     Kinsella 32
Yorke 45, 48

United find their feet at last and inflict Charlton`s first defeat of the
season. A brace each by new boy Yorke and almost out of the door Solskjaer
wrapped up three simply points.


Spurs (1) 2          Blackburn (1) 1
Ferdinand 26         Gallagher 11
Neilsen 50

Two wins in two games for Spurs and possible the new manager whoever he might
be, may not be taking on a club in crisis after all.


West Ham (3) 3       Wimbledon (1) 4
Hartson 5            Gayle 30, 77
Wright 14, 26        Euell 62
                     Ekoku 80

Astonishing game at Upton Park as Wimbledon become only the second ever team
to come from 3 goals down in a Prem game to win and the first to do it in an
away game.

FA Carling Premiership

Tuesday 8th September 1998

Leeds United (1) 3      Southampton (0) 0
Marshall 39 (og)
Harte 52
Winjhard 86

Comfortable win for Leeds as the now lead the table albeit for only 24 hours.
A bizarre own goal followed by the first goals of the season for Gary Kelly`s
nephew, Ian Harte and new signing Clyde Winjhard put them there.


Nottm Forest (0) 0      Everton (0) 2
                        Ferguson 72, 84

Another first at the City Ground as Forest become the first team that Everton
manage to score against this season, big Duncan Ferguson grabbing two late
second half goals.


--
Gary Dowden - Joint Administrator (ISFA) Premiership Mailing List
Leeds United and Scotland and proud of it

http://www.footiemad.demon.co.uk
*THE* unofficial site for the Premiership and Natiowide Leagues,
Euro2000, Champions League, CWC, UEFA Cup and Muffin.
Daily football & lyric quiz.