The Hindu : Sport / Football : Bergkamp strike keeps Arsenal in the hunt

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jan 26, 2005

Sport

Sport - Football

Bergkamp strike keeps Arsenal in the hunt

LONDON, JAN. 25. Veteran striker Dennis Bergkamp fired Arsenal to a 1-0 victory over Newcastle on Sunday as the defending champion jumped back into second place, 10 points behind runaway leader Chelsea.

The Gunners had slipped down to third after Manchester United's 3-1 victory over Aston Villa on Saturday when Chelsea went 11 points clear by beating Portsmouth 3-0.

In this round's last match on Monday, Bolton edged Blackburn 1-0 on a contentious goal from El Hadji Diouf.

The Senegal striker appeared to have been brought down by Blackburn goalkeeper Brad Friedel in the 75th minute and was awarded a penalty by referee Steve Bennett. Friedel saved the penalty, but Diouf scored from the rebound.

Television replays showed Friedel made no contact with Diouf.

"That obviously wasn't a penalty," Bolton midfielder Gary Speed said. "Blackburn won't be happy but we'll take it.

"Sometimes you get them, sometimes you don't but that's only our second or third penalty this year. It was probably a poor game to watch. We didn't pass well or play well but it was another clean sheet and we are happy with three points."

Blackburn manager Mark Hughes wasn't happy.

"It has never been a penalty," Hughes said. "Unfortunately the lad (Diouf) has got a reputation for diving and he has enhanced it tonight. It was a diabolical decision," he fumed.

Hope for Arsenal

Bergkamp's 19th minute strike maintained Arsenal's slim hope of holding on to its title although the Gunners should have scored at least three more and were kept at bay by Magpies' goalkeeper Shay Given.

Chelsea has 61 points from 24 games, Arsenal has 51 and Manchester United 50.

Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira said the title race was not over.

"We're going to try and make it difficult for them," he said. "Of course they are in a good position but mathematically it is still possible so we must fight like we did today. It's still a really long way to go. It's going to be difficult but we're going to fight them until the end."

The Gunners almost went ahead in the opening minute, Mathieu Flamini's close range shot being cleared off the line. But the Arsenal fans didn't have to wait long for the lead.

Bergkamp collected a cross from Flamini, expertly controlled the ball and fended off a defender before pushing the ball past Shay Given for his first goal since August.

Two minutes later Given pushed a shot from Henry round the post as Arsene Wenger's men dictated the game.

Sixteen minutes into the second half, Henry ran clear to take a pass from Vieira and beat Given with his shot only for the ball to hit the post and bounce back into the keeper's arms. Two minutes later, Pires should have added the second but Given dived to block his close range shot.

Henry and Ashley Cole both missed easy chances before Given made another reflex-action save to deny the Frenchman. Newcastle created few chances although Lee Bowyer shot straight at goalkeeper Manuel Almunia near the end.

Chelsea dominates

Chelsea scored three goals before halftime against Portsmouth at Stamford Bridge on Saturday for its seventh league shutout in a row. Didier Drogba netted twice while Dutch winger Arjen Robben scored the other and frightened the Pompey defence with his fast, weaving runs.

Manchester United scored a 3-1 victory over Aston Villa at Old Trafford, with strikes by Cristiano Ronaldo, Louis Saha and Paul Scholes to stay 11 points behind the Blues.

Everton stayed fourth despite a 1-0 loss at home to Charlton and fifth place Liverpool went down 2-0 at next-to-last Southampton in one of four big performances by the struggling teams.

Last place West Bromwich Albion won for only the second time this season in the league, 2-0 against Manchester City, and Crystal Palace stayed third from last by outplaying Tottenham 3-0.

Thanks to Saints' victory over Liverpool, Norwich dropped to next-to-last place but still scored three goals in the last 10 minutes at home to Middlesbrough to salvage a thrilling 4-4 tie at Carrow Road.

West Brom stays last with 16 points, Norwich has 17, Southampton 18 and Palace 21. The last three will go down.

Saturday's other result was Fulham's 2-1 victory at Birmingham.

The results: Arsenal bt Newcastle 1-0; Fulham bt Birmingham 2-1; Chelsea bt Portsmouth 3-0; Crystal Palace bt Tottenham 3-0; Charlton bt Everton 1-0; Manchester United bt Aston Villa 3-1; Norwich drew with Middlesbrough 4-4; Southampton bt Liverpool 2-0; West Brom bt Man City 2-0; Bolton bt Blackburn 1-0.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport