First Day Premiership Results (Premier League 2000 - 2001)

Member Name: SWMFC

Product:	Premier League 2000 - 2001
Date:	19/08/01 (49 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: None, None, None

Disadvantages: None, None, None

I want to do a round up on the Premiership matches that were played on the 18th August 2001. I will give my opinions on how the matches sounded and also giving the details.

Charlton 1-2 Everton

Everton seemed to be the better team in the first half, but they went 1-0 down after Jonatan Johansson headed over Paul Gerrard in the goal. Everton got level after a penalty from Duncan Ferguson when Kevin Campbell was tripped. David Weir scored the winner after he was given space and was unmarked at a corner.

Overall: This was a good win for Everton as Charlton were one of the surprise teams and had a good home record.

Leeds 2-0 Southampton

Lee Bowyer and Alan Smith scored in the second half. Bowyer scored after a corner and Smith scored the second goal after coming off the bench. Leeds had many chances in the first half, but the Saints also made Nigel Martyn busy. Claus Lundekvam was sent off.

Overall: An expected and comfortable win for Leeds here and this should only boost their confidence to have another reasonably successful season.

Sunderland 1-0 Ipswich

Another good start for Kevin Phillips as he has started scoring already this season and will be expected to be one of the top scorers in the league again. He scored from the penalty spot after Titus Bramble brought Gavin McCann down. Pablo Counago almost gave Ipswich a point late on, but the home team were not to be denied the three points.

Overall: Both teams, especially Ipswich, had a good season last year and this was always going to be a close match. Sunderland will be pleased that they managed to win in their first home game.

Leicester 0-5 Bolton

A very impressive start from Bolton. Kevin Nolan scored the first goal of the Premiership after 15 minutes. Michael Ricketts scored the second, and Nolan and Per Frandsen scored the third and fourth goals before half-time. Frandsen made it five seven minutes before the end
.

Overall: A disaster for Leicester as the were beaten very easily at home against one of the new teams in the league. Bolton will be delighted with this victory and will hope to continue this kind of form.

Middlesborough 0-4 Arsenal

Thierry Henry broke the deadlock just before half-time. Ray Parlour was sent off after getting two yellow cards. Ugo Ehiogu was sent off and Robert Pires scored the penalty that was given. Dennis Bergkamp scored two late on in the game to finish off a good win.

Overall: Arsene Wenger managed to dent Steve McClaren's confidence as a manager in his first game in charge and Arsenal will be happy that they got off to a winning start.

Liverpool 2-1 West Ham

Michael Owen scored first after a backheel from Gary McAllister. Di Canio equalised with a penalty. Owen scored his second of the game after turning Christian giving Liverpool the win.

Overall: Liverpool will be very happy that they kicked the season off with a winning start and will be hoping that Michael Owen can keep in this sensational form.

Tottenham 0-0 Aston Villa

A 0-0 draw in the first game for these two teams. The only main points from the game were that Les Ferdinand limped off with a knee injury and Spurs were denied a penalty when Hassan Kachloul tackled Mauricio Tarrico.

Overall: Tottenham will be unhappy that they could not start the season off with a victory at home, but it seemed as though Aston Villa did well in keeping them at bay.

Derby 2-1 Blackburn

Fabrizio Ravanelli started his Derby career with a debut goal right on half time. Christie scored in 63 minutes and then Nathan Blake got a goal back for Blackburn, but it was not enough and Derby got the three points.

Overall: Derby County will be delighted with this victory as they may struggle this season and held off newcomers Blackburn.

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