Post by Taxigirl on Jan 11, 2004 10:39:18 GMT
Arsenal took advantage of Manchester United and Chelsea's lack of action on Saturday to close the gap at the top of The Premiership with a 4-1 mauling of Middlesbrough.
The Gunners have an identical record to United at the summit after Massimo Maccarone netted a late consolation for Boro with a penalty he had won himself after tumbling under Jens Lehmann's challenge.
By then, Arsenal had highlighted the gulf in class between the two sides, a worry for the Teesside outfit who must play the North Londoners another three times this month, with Thierry Henry opening the floodgates with a 38th minute penalty.
The Frenchman scored after Patrick Vieira threw himself to the ground when making contact with Ugo Ehiogu, and was then involved in a needless slanging match with the always provocative Danny Mills.
Franck Queudrue was debited with the last touch from an Henry free kick to make it 2-0 before Robert Pires and Freddie Ljungberg compounded Boro's misery.
Bolton Wanderers shaded a seven-goal thriller at Ewood Park with Kevin Nolan scoring twice for the visitors.
Nolan took only 13 seconds to hit the net but Rovers replied swiftly through Vlatko Gresko before Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole rolled back the years to put the home side in the ascendancy.
But Bolton are made of stern stuff and Youri Djorkaeff's clever lob gave them hope before a spirited second half performance saw Stelios Giannakopoulos level matters and Nolan grab a 78th minute winner, both from close range.
Tottenham heaped more woe on Leeds United with Robbie Keane returning to his former club to grab the decisive goal after showing great strength to hold off Michael Duberry before finishing clinically past Paul Robinson.
Liverpool also emerged victorious thanks to a solitary strike, with Harry Kewell's first half cross turned in by Aston Villa defender Mark Delaney to hand the points to the Merseysiders.
Birmingham City overcame Southampton 2-1 with Jeff Kenna's rare goal proving to be the winner.
Saints had scored first through Brett Ormerod, after Maik Taylor parried a Rory Delap effort, but City hit back through a Fitz Hall own goal, following Stephen Clemence's header, and Kenna's close range tap-in from Clinton Morrison's assist.
David Prutton was sent off for appearing to elbow Kenna to ensure a bad week for the South Coast club's supporters, who were stunned by Gordon Strachan's announcement that he is leaving at the end of the season.
Charlton Athletic proved too strong for relegation-haunted Wolves with Jason Euell marking his 100th game for the club with a double that leaves Dave Jones's side adrift at the foot of the table.
Louis Saha and Steed Malbranque did the damage for Fulham in a 2-1 victory over Everton, who threatened a comeback after Kevin Kilbane lashed home a splendid drive.
Saha, targeted by Manchester United, kept his cool to steer home a penalty to break the deadlock.
Portsmouth extended Manchester City's winless run to 14 games with a 4-2 success in an entertaining goalfest at Fratton Park.
City were dealt a blow when David Seaman went off injured with a shoulder problem, and replacement Kevin Stuhr-Ellegard was beaten four times.
Dejan Stefanovic took advantage of hesitancy from the young Dane to net first, but Nicolas Anelka's superb volley and Antoine Sibierski gave the visitors a deserved lead after they hit the woodwork three times.
Yet it was Pompey who proved stronger with Yakubu Aiyegbeni scoring twice and Teddy Sheringham ending something of a personal goal drought to pile the pressure on Kevin Keegan.
Arsenal 4-1 Middlesbrough
Birmingham 2-1 Southampton
Blackburn 3-4 Bolton
Charlton 2-0 Wolves
Fulham 2-1 Everton
Leeds 0-1 Tottenham
Liverpool 1-0 Aston Villa
Portsmouth 4-2 Man City