Late equalisers surprise London pair
Saturday, November 20, 2004
Article summary
The English Premiership was thrown open as leading duo Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC were both held to home draws.
Article body
By Jonathan Caswell
The Premiership was thrown open this afternoon as leading pair Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC were both held to home draws in games they led until late on.
Bolton comeback
Chelsea took just 34 seconds to score against Bolton Wanderers FC when Damien Duff stole in. Three minutes into the second half Tiago's superb volley deservedly doubled the lead for dominant Chelsea, but four minutes later Kevin Davies gave the visitors a lifeline. And Bolton snatched a point when Radhi Jaidi pounced three minutes from time.
Earnshaw equaliser
A point was all Arsenal managed too against lowly West Bromwich Albion FC. The stuttering champions, with only one win in their last five league games before today, finally beat West Brom's outstanding goalkeeper Russell Hoult on 51 minutes when Robert Pires struck. But in the 75th minute substitute Robert Earnshaw stole in to head an equaliser which keeps Arsenal two points behind Chelsea.
United cheer
The results in London will have given Sir Alex Ferguson even more to cheer about as his Manchester United FC side marked his 999th game in charge by defeating Charlton Athletic FC 2-0 with goals from Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes either side of half-time.
Challengers win
United are fifth, within nine points of Chelsea, but behind Everton FC and Middlesbrough FC who both won. Everton are now four points off the lead after substitute Duncan Ferguson's 67th-minute goal saw off Fulham FC 1-0. Middlesbrough overcame a depleted Liverpool FC team 2-0 with defender Chris Riggott and Boudewijn Zenden on target.
Norwich delight
Late Patrick Kluivert and Craig Bellamy goals gave Newcastle United FC a 2-0 triumph at Crystal Palace FC, while Norwich City FC recorded their first victory since promotion by beating fellow strugglers Southampton FC 2-1. Manchester City FC won 3-1 at Portsmouth FC in the late game and are eleventh. Blackburn Rovers FC, bottom after Norwich's win, welcome Birmingham City FC on Sunday and Tottenham Hotspur FC travel to Aston Villa FC the following day.
