Arsenal in the ascendancy
Sunday, December 14, 2003
Article summary
Dennis Bergkamp's goal against Blackburn Rovers FC returned Arsenal FC to the top of the Premiership.
Article body
An eleventh-minute goal from Dennis Bergkamp ensured Arsenal FC returned to the top of the Premiership on Sunday thanks to a 1-0 victory against Blackburn Rovers FC at Highbury.
Cool finish
Bergkamp met Kolo Touré's neat cut-back with a cool finish, rolling the ball wide of Blackburn goalkeeper Brad Friedel to score the game's only goal - but the visitors could so easily have taken a first-minute lead when Dwight Yorke found himself with time and space in front of goal, only to watch his attempted chip skid wide of the target.
Babbel denied
Arsenal dominated much of the game and Robert Pires hit the post as they pushed for a second goal - although Blackburn almost pinched a draw when Markus Babbel had a goal disallowed in the second half. But 1-0 was the final score, stretching Arsenal's unbeaten start to the league season to 16 games, and enabling the north London club to leap ahead of both Manchester United FC and Chelsea FC into first place.
Midlands derby
Most of Sunday's action was concentrated on the other end of the table, where Aston Villa FC moved out of the bottom three by virtue of a 3-2 victory against basement club and Midlands rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at Villa Park.
Ángel delight
Juan Pablo Ángel scored twice for the home side in the opening quarter to set them on the way to victory and although Alex Rae gave the visitors a lifeline, Gareth Barry restored Villa's two-goal advantage - meaning Mark Kennedy's late goal was nothing more than a consolation for Dave Jones' side.
Matteo heroics
The day's other game also finished 3-2 to the home side, with Leeds United AFC seeing off a plucky Fulham FC after a barnstorming finish at Elland Road. Leeds, searching for only their fourth win of the campaign, went ahead through goals from Michael Duberry and Mark Viduka either side of half-time, but Louis Saha immediately pulled a goal back then found an 85th-minute equaliser. However, Leeds captain Dominic Matteo's glancing header three minutes later handed the home side all three points.
