Archive for October 23rd, 2006
Goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen saved two penalties in two minutes as Bolton secured a remarkable 1-0 victory over Blackburn.
The Finnish shot-stopper came to the rescue with Rovers chasing the game after Ivan Campo’s goal just past the hour.
Jaaskelainen first blocked Benni McCarthy’s effort in the 87th minute then sub Jason Roberts’ attempt 60 seconds later.
Bolton skipper Kevin Nolan was then sent off for dissent as they stretched their unbeaten run to seven games to stay on the shoulders of Manchester United and Chelsea.
Blackburn, however, will wonder how they lost this match.
October 23rd, 2006
Tottenham heaped more misery on woeful West Ham, winning 1-0 thanks to a first-half strike from Egyptian striker Mido.
The former Roma hitman scored his first goal for the club since he returned to White Hart Lane on a permanent basis in the summer. Mido struck seconds from the end of the first half when he collected a low cross from Edgar Davids and turned Anton Ferdinand before firing the ball home via the far post.
Although Spurs dominated the second half the could not find a second score – but the single goal was enough to defeat a shot-shy West Ham side who have failed to score in their last seven games now.
The victory was belated revenge for Tottenham’s defeat to West Ham on the final day of last season when, amid suggestions of a food poisoning outbreak, they missed out on a place in the Champions League.
October 23rd, 2006
Arsenal reinforced their claim to be genuine contenders for the title with a 4-0 demolition of top-flight newcomers Reading
Thierry Henry opened the scoring in the first minute, and added the fourth from the penalty spot, while Alexander Hleb and Robin van Persie supplied quality finishes either side of halftime the Gunners reigned supreme at the Madejski Stadium.
Reading had forced both Manchester United and Chelsea to battle all the way for points in previous games – but they had no answer to the free-flowing game from the North Londoners.
October 23rd, 2006
Rio Ferdinand’s stunning half-volley sealed a deserved 2-0 win for Manchester United in a hard fought clash with Liverpool at Old Trafford.
The England defender scored the winner in this fixture last season – and was again on target with a thunderous strike on 66 minutes.
Paul Scholes had capped his 500th appearance for United with the opening goal on 39 minutes – and Ferdinand secured a win which saw the Red Devils leapfrog Chelsea into top spot on goal difference.
October 23rd, 2006