ESPN Network:
ESPN.com
ESPN Deportes
Fantasy Games
|
|
|
| Tuesday, August 27, 2002 18:24 EST |
Keller shines in Tottenham's victory at Charlton
[Reuters]
LONDON -- English Double winners Arsenal
moved to the top of the premier league for the first time this
season with a comfortable 5-2 victory over West Bromwich Albion
at Highbury on Tuesday.
Defenders Ashley Cole and Lauren set the club on its way,
before France international Sylvain Wiltord scored twice to take
his season's tally to four and compatriot Jeremie Aliadiere, 19,
completed Arsenal's 15th win in 16 league games with his first
goal for the club.
Scott Dobie and Jason Roberts ensured West Brom avoided a
humiliation with second half strikes, but the West Midlands club
is still searching for its first points of the season after
promotion from the first division last season.
Arsenal, on seven points from three games of the new season,
heads the table on goal difference from north London rivals
Tottenham Hotspur, who beat Charlton Athletic 1-0 in the other
premier league match on Tuesday.
Wales international Simon Davies scored Spurs' winner after
eight minutes as Glenn Hoddle's side's positive start to the
season continued at The Valley.
Liverpool and Leeds United both have a maximum six points
from their opening two matches.
West Brom, who lost to Manchester United and Leeds United in
its opening two games, could not have endured a worst start at
Arsenal as it went three down inside 23 minutes.
Cole, the England left-back, drove a powerful shot into the
top corner in the fourth minute, before Cameroon's Lauren
pounced from close range after 21 minutes and Wiltord chipped in
two minutes later.
A defensive mix-up between Cole and David Seaman allowed
Dobie to pull one back six minutes after halftime, and Arsenal
could have found itself a man down if referee Paul Durkin
had shown Martin Keown a red card instead of yellow after a
tussle with Dobie on the edge of the area as the Scotland
striker attempted to burst through.
But Arsene Wenger's side regained its composure for a 4-1
lead through Wiltord and, although Roberts' neat goal held up
his club's charge, Aliadiere came off the substitutes' bench to
finish the visitors off from close range.
"Maybe psychologically we felt it was a bit easy in the
second half, but it was a good performance," Wenger, whose side
could only draw 2-2 at West Ham United on Saturday, told Sky
Sports television.
"We were disappointed after Saturday, and we showed tonight
how well we can play going forward. We lost concentration at
times but it is early in the season."
Wenger reiterated his desire to sign a goalkeeper as cover
for Seaman before the August 31 transfer deadline.
"We hope to sign someone by (Wednesday), or within 48
hours," he said.
West Brom manager Gary Megson has seen his players concede
nine goals in its first three matches in the top flight, and
it is already propping up the table.
"We caused Arsenal one or two problems," said Megson. "But
individually and collectively we have to improve defensively as
a unit."
Hoddle's rebuilding job at Spurs is showing encouraging
signs for the club's fans who have suffered in the shadow of
Arsenal recently.
Davies, who slotted home after a Teddy Sheringham pass, was
excellent in midfield as Spurs dominated a pulsating encounter
against Charlton.
The club also had a strong penalty claim turned down by referee
Alan Wiley, who booked Davies for diving despite appearing to be
felled by Charlton keeper Dean Kiely.
Charlton was left cursing the form of Spurs keeper Kasey
Keller, in for the injured Neil Sullivan, who produced a series
of excellent saves.
Hoddle, who needs a striker before the transfer deadline,
has been linked with a number of players in the media recently.
He has admitted his interest in Real Madrid's Fernando
Morientes, and Hoddle said on Tuesday: "It's not necessarily
just about Morientes.
"There's still work to be done on that one, and
others ... we're juggling a few balls on the transfer front,
hopefully one will come down in the right place."
|
|
|
|
|
|
