All over for Arsenal?
27/10/02 | by Mike Shaw

Well, how right was I? Sure enough, Blackburn beat Arsenal 2-1 and sent the back pages crazy: "Treble and Strife,” screams the back of the Express; “Gunners Are Falling Apart at the Seams,” rants the Mirror...

Hang about - it’s only two games. Another interesting caption, again provided by the Mirror, is “Misery for Seaman as they lose again.” So all of a sudden it's all Seaman’s fault! Well that’s just crazy in my book. Anyone who saw Edu’s rather amusing own goal will agree that Seaman wasn’t at fault. It's just unfortunate, these things happen.

Blackburn in my opinion are a good 'cup side' because they have players who on their day can be electric. Brad Friedel showed in the World Cup what a good keeper he can be, David Dunn’s talents are undoubted, as are those of the ingenious Damian Duff. Add to that Yorke, Cole and Jansen upfront and you have a very useful side indeed, one that on its day can pull off a shock or two. Friedel deserves most of the plaudits for the fact that he faced 13 shots and saved 12 of them, including a wonder save to deny Henry. On another day it could’ve been 6-2 to Arsenal. But as I said before, these things happen.

Liverpool take full advantage of the slip to storm four points clear. After they took the lead on 72 through Danny Murphy and looked to have the three points preserved, Dean Richards' header pulled Spurs level with four minutes to go. Just as it looked like I would get two predictions right in a week, Michael Owen despatched an 86th minute penalty to hand Liverpool the win. It's been 13 years since the title was last on Merseyside, but this season might just be the one…

Chelsea jump to 3rd, on goal difference above Man U and Spurs. They beat WBA 2-0, Hasselbaink and Le Saux getting the goals, although on another day the Baggies could have had a share of the points, Clement and ‘Judas’ Johnson both going close.

Once again Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s goals failed to materialise and it was left to Diego Forlan to snatch United a point at home to Villa. Forlan scored his first goal from open play in 23 Premiership games, Olof Mellberg had earlier put Villa in front.

The other blue half of Manchester was able to celebrate a win, only number 3 this season as goals from Sun Jihai and Nic Anelka gave them a 2-0 win at Birmingham. Richard Dunne returned in defence for City after his recent problems, he now knows he needs to knuckle down and get out of the shape he was in when we all saw him at the City Ground last season, which was Molby-esque to say the least. He has the quality to win international caps and he needs to show it.

Leeds visit to the Riverside ended 2-2, 10-a-side and in many accusations. Alan Smith saw red yet again, although in my book was a little unlucky, both challenges were nothing malicious, just ‘strikers tackles’. Quedrue was also sent off late on, again for 2 bookings. There were numerous flashpoints with Boateng and Bakke being held apart from one another after the Dutchman had allegedly spat Bakke. I don’t think this will be the last we hear of ‘The Battle of The Riverside’. Viduka’s spot-kick had given Leeds the lead, Job made it 1-1 before Lee Bowyer gave Leeds the lead again, only for Gareth Southgate to grab a late goal and earn Boro a share of the spoils.

To round things up Newcastle came from behind to beat Charlton 2-1, Griffin and Robert scoring the goals after Shaun Bartlett had given Athletic the lead. Griffin is turning into something of a goalscoring hero for the Toon Army, after his goal sunk Juventus in midweek.

Early report this week due to holiday commitments, today Everton face West Ham and Southampton take on Fulham. On Monday night Bolton face Sunderland in what could well be a big relegation clash, with the sides 19th and 20th in the table. Only 3 points separate the teams 18th to 12th.

The time to say its early days yet is drawing to a close, contenders are emerging. Don’t bet against it being this close come to May.