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| December 2003 Arsenal see Ashley Cole become the 53rd red card of Arsene Wenger’s tenure as they’re denied a sixth away win, and taking over at the top, at Leicester. Craig Hignett equalises in the last minute to leave Chelsea as leaders, following their draw at Leeds which keeps United 19th. Manchester United cruise to victory over Aston Villa, with Forlan scoring twice in the final minute, but Fegie’s men stay third, a point from The Gunners and two behind Chelsea. Wolves are crushed at Spurs with old boy Robbie Keane netting a hat-trick. The top three are now nine points ahead of fourth place, and Fulham, who beat Bolton. Everton move above Villa, who replace them in the bottom three, after a draw with Manchester City. Liverpool chairman David Moores piles more pressure on Gerard Houllier by ‘intimating’ that Champions’ League qualification is the minimum acceptable target. ‘Fergie’ issues a ‘hands-off’ warning to Real Madrid who are said to covet Van Nistelrooy and United are set to offer the striker a double-your-money contract extension. Chelsea are knocked off the top of the table when a John Terry own goal gifts victory to Bolton Wanderers. United jump into pole position, a point ahead of Arsenal, when they win the Manchester derby against City, who haven’t won at Old Trafford for 23 games. Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s goal, United’s third, is his 96th for the club in only 116 starts. Arsenal Southampton, without an away goal in six and a half hours, complete the League double over Liverpool with their first-ever Premiership victory at Anfield. Alan Shearer’s brace in Newcastle’s thrashing of Spurs takes him to 100 goals for The Magpies while Everton’s first away win of the season puts Portsmouth in trouble at the foot of the table. Manchester United end the year with a best first half of the season showing of 46 points from 19 games, for 10 years, thanks to a freak Danny Mills own goal that beats ’Boro. Arsenal move into second place, a point behind the leaders, The Gunners’ 19th consecutive League game without defeat and Chelsea match Arsenal’s points total, but they are third on goal difference, after beating Portsmouth. The annual statistic that the bottom club in the Premiership, at Christmas, would seem to doom Wolves, who end the year in 20th place. It’s not much better for the other teams in the drop zone, Spurs and Leeds. |
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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. |
