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| April 2002 Arsenal go top, for the first time in the year, by winning their sixth consecutive away game, against Charlton. Thierry Henry scores twice, for the sixth time in the campaign, taking his tally to 22. Derby’s home defeat, by Middlesbrough, seems to have settled their fate as The Rams stay 19th, just above Leicester, who lose to Sunderland. Ipswich get a draw with Chelsea but are still 18th. An 86th minute Lauren penalty gives Arsenal victory over Spurs and keeps them top. Manchester United maintain the pressure on the leaders with a Solskjaer winner that keeps them in second place and Leicester rooted to the foot of the table and Ipswich stay 18th after being hammered by Bolton. Liverpool drop to second despite a sixth consecutive win, over Sunderland, with Michael Owen getting the only goal of the game. Jamie Redknapp pulls the curtain down on his 11 year career at Liverpool and moves to Spurs, on a free transfer. Liverpool’s seventh win on the bounce, with Michael Owen’s brace too much for Derby, keeps the Anfield side second and condemns The Rams to Division One. Manchester United win at Chelsea but drop a place to third. Freddie Ljunberg scores twice to beat Ipswich to keep The Gunners in pole position and Town 18th. Alan Shearer follows up his historic goal against Charlton with his 201st and 202nd at, ironically, Blackburn to earn Newcastle a place in the Champions’ League. Arsenal ‘steamroller’ on with their 10th win in succession, against West Ham, with Freddie Ljunberg scoring for the fourth consecutive game. Manchester United need a Van Nistelrooy penalty to sink doomed Ipswich and remain second. Liverpool’s title hopes end, and they drop to third, after a shock defeat at Spurs. Gus Poyet’s 10th goal of the season proves the match-winner. Ljunberg scores again as Arsenal win at Bolton leaving The Gunners requiring just one point, at Manchester United, to clinch the title. Sidebar Alan Shearer’s 89th minute goal, in Newcastle’s win over Charlton, on 20 April, is his 200th in the Premier League, 61 ahead of nearest rival Andy Cole. |
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The
above article is an extract from The Breedon Book of Premiership Records by Brian Beard. For details of this essential addition to the bookshelves of any football fan click HERE. |
