Keepers Reign Supreme
19/11/02 | by Mike Shaw

After all that several keepers have gone through in recent weeks, it’s about time they bounced back. And how… 11 of the 20 Premiership sides kept clean sheets this weekend. Keepers saved 17 of the 107 shots on target. That’s 84% of shots they faced. Top performer was Antti Niemi of Southampton who made 13 saves , followed closely by Kasey Keller who made 12. Two keepers saved penalties, Russell Hoult blanking Dion Dublin and Edwin Van Der Sar denying Stern John from 12 yards.

That is a fact - knowledge is the bomb! I thank You!

Performance of the day, however, goes the wonderfully named Jurgen Macho of Sunderland, whose awesome display kept Liverpool at bay and grabbed Sunderland a badly needed and scarcely deserved point at Anfield. He made one save that was truly out of this world to stonewall Michael Owen. Sgt Wilko’s revival rolls on with Sunderland climbing to 17th.

Bolton sit 18th despite a win over Leeds. They won a thriller 4-2 at Elland Road with Michael Ricketts and then Tore Pedersen grabbing two late goals, Pedersen’s a screaming volley from 14 yards into Robinson’s top corner (almost goal of the week).

Pedersen gave Bolton an early lead only for Smith to reply within seconds for Leeds. Djorkaeff then grabbed the lead for Bolton to set up a frantic last 10 minutes. Kewell pulled Leeds level again, before on the 90 Ricketts was felled in the box and stepped up to slide home the calmest of spot kicks. Pedersen then added insult to injury with a 4th in stoppage time.

Cue chants of “Venables Out” and backpages heavily critical of the ex-England boss, who according to the Mirror has “10 games to save his job”. A trip to his old club Spurs next week seems to offer little respite.

Spurs will not be a happy side after going down 3-0 at Highbury. A wonder goal from Thierry Henry, the kind you dream of scoring, wins the coveted ‘Ian Woan Goal of the Week’ award and gave Arsenal at early lead. Cue referee Mike Riley to send off Simon Davies (later rescinded) with a decision worthy of a ‘Phil Dowd Award for Poor Refereeing’. Ljungberg added a 2nd and Wiltord a 3rd as Spurs fell apart. Arsenal return to the top over Liverpool by one point.

Chelsea sit third, Celestine Babayaro scoring a dubious winner. He controlled a great ball from Zola after Chelsea had executed a lovely “blue-32 “ passing play through the midfield. Replays though show he may well have handled it before smashing an unstoppable volley beyond Schwarzer.

For the record, a “blue-32” is a move practised on the training ground usually for setpieces that has a set plan (like in American Football, hence the name), like the “Sheringham Corner” that Spurs used to use. In this case the pass round the corner that Chelsea used... anyway, enough of me being random...

Honours were shared between Villa and WBA as they drew 0-0, as did Birmingham and Fulham. Fulham had two men sent off as they lost the plot as Brevett and then Marlet were sent off. Brevett can however take credit for his part in Fulham gaining a point. His handball on the line denied a goal but Stern John’s penalty miss meant it ended 0-0 ... funny how things work out.

WBA are bottom. West Ham 19th, they drew 1-1 with Man U. Defoe scored a late and very offside goal to equalise Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s earlier goal. David James then secured the point with a last minute wonder save. Van Nistelrooy then missed a golden chance on the rebound as his headed dropped weakly into the arms of the sprawling James.

Blackburn’s poor run continues. Everton beat them 1-0 at Ewood Park with Kev Campbell getting his sixth Premiership goal of the season. Richard Wright also turned in a good display to remind Sven he is a potential England number one, after his career had gone off the rails a little during a poor spell at Arsenal. Rovers sit eighth while Everton fly high in fourth place.

Newcastle left Southampton with a very long journey back home beating them 2-1 at St James Park. Beattie had given Southampton an early lead with a thumping drive (3rd in goal of the week) before Ameobi pulled Newcastle level. Aaron Hughes got the winner early in the 2nd half to move Newcastle up to 6th.

Finally Charlton beat Man City 1-0 at Maine Road bringing them back to earth with a bump after last weekend’s glory. Shaun Bartlett got the only goal. Rumour is that King Kev will open the old warchest and sign two strikers and Jaap Stam when the transfer window opens in January. Just so long as he stays away from Michael Dawson...

Next week Bolton face a Chelsea side who haven’t conceded a goal in 5 games, Villa entertain West Ham, and fellow strugglers Sunderland host Birmingham and West Brom face a trip to Merseyside to face Everton.

At the sharp end of things, Newcastle face Man U - 5th playing 6th. Boro take on Man City and Arsenal travel to Southampton. Liverpool hope to regain top spot as they face Fulham at Loftus Road.

On Sunday it's Leeds at Spurs and Blackburn hope to end their poor run of late as they travel to Charlton.

Look for wins for Chelsea, West Ham, Sunderland, Everton and Arsenal, while Fulham hold Liverpool and Boro draw with Man City. On Sunday, Spurs edge Leeds and Blackburn return to form as they beat Charlton. Goals will come from Flo, Super Kev Campbell and Wiltord and sendings off at the Riverside (Boro v City). Don’t ask why, I can just feel it...