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Arsenal`s grip on lead strengthens with Charton triumph
London, Feb 29: Arsenal beat Charlton 2-1 to extend their lead at top of English Premier League.
London, Feb 29: Arsenal beat Charlton 2-1 to extend their lead at top of English Premier League.
League-leaders Arsenal had to cling on for a 2-1 victory after making a blistering start at home to London rivals Charlton in the English Premier League on Saturday (February 28). Both Arsenal's goals came in the opening four minutes. Robert Pires opened the scoring from a Freddy Ljungberg cross in the second minute after a neat exchange between the Swede and Thierry Henry. Moments later Henry made it 2-0 as he converted a cross from fellow-Frenchman Patrick Viera. Arsenal dominated the rest of the first half, carving out several chances without adding to their tally. But Charlton, fifth at the start of the day, began the second half purposefully and pulled a goal back in the 59th minute when Claus Jensen beat Jens Lehmann with a terrific free kick after Paulo di Canio had been fouled.
Arsenal responded immediately with Henry going close on several occasions but they were unable to restore their two-goal cushion.
New signing Jose Antonio Reyes came on as substitute for Arsenal in the 74th minute. The young Portuguese striker soon came close to putting the result beyond doubt shortly after as he shot wide.
But, instead of cruising to a comfortable victory, the home side were left an anxious few minutes to endure as time ran out for Charlton.
As the match went into added time Charlton were desperately unlucky not to equalise when a stunning overhead kick by Jonathan Johansson struck the post with Lehmann well beaten.
Arsenal's victory put them nine points clear at the top of the premier league as title rivals Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw by Fulham.
Big-spending Chelsea snatched a barely deserved 1-0 win at Manchester City to go second, edging ahead of champions United on goal difference.
English league soccer standings after matches played on Saturday: Premier league P W D L F A Pts 1. Arsenal 27 20 7 0 53 18 67 2. Chelsea 27 18 4 5 48 21 58 3. Manchester United 27 18 4 5 51 25 58 4. Newcastle United 26 10 11 5 37 27 41 5. Charlton Athletic 27 11 7 9 38 34 40 6. Liverpool 25 10 8 7 36 27 38 7. Aston Villa 27 10 7 10 32 32 37 8. Fulham 27 10 6 11 39 38 36 9. Birmingham City 25 9 9 7 25 28 36 10. Tottenham Hotspur 26 10 4 12 39 42 34 11. Bolton Wanderers 26 8 10 8 32 40 34 12. Southampton 27 8 9 10 27 27 33 13. Middlesbrough 25 8 7 10 27 31 31 14. Everton 27 7 8 12 33 39 29 15. Blackburn Rovers 27 7 7 13 39 44 28 16. Manchester City 27 6 9 12 36 39 27 17. Wolverhampton Wanderers 27 5 9 13 24 52 24 18. Portsmouth 25 6 5 14 28 39 23 19. Leicester City 27 4 11 12 37 51 23 20. Leeds United 26 5 6 15 24 51 21
Bureau Report
League-leaders Arsenal had to cling on for a 2-1 victory after making a blistering start at home to London rivals Charlton in the English Premier League on Saturday (February 28). Both Arsenal's goals came in the opening four minutes. Robert Pires opened the scoring from a Freddy Ljungberg cross in the second minute after a neat exchange between the Swede and Thierry Henry. Moments later Henry made it 2-0 as he converted a cross from fellow-Frenchman Patrick Viera. Arsenal dominated the rest of the first half, carving out several chances without adding to their tally. But Charlton, fifth at the start of the day, began the second half purposefully and pulled a goal back in the 59th minute when Claus Jensen beat Jens Lehmann with a terrific free kick after Paulo di Canio had been fouled.
Arsenal responded immediately with Henry going close on several occasions but they were unable to restore their two-goal cushion.
New signing Jose Antonio Reyes came on as substitute for Arsenal in the 74th minute. The young Portuguese striker soon came close to putting the result beyond doubt shortly after as he shot wide.
But, instead of cruising to a comfortable victory, the home side were left an anxious few minutes to endure as time ran out for Charlton.
As the match went into added time Charlton were desperately unlucky not to equalise when a stunning overhead kick by Jonathan Johansson struck the post with Lehmann well beaten.
Arsenal's victory put them nine points clear at the top of the premier league as title rivals Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw by Fulham.
Big-spending Chelsea snatched a barely deserved 1-0 win at Manchester City to go second, edging ahead of champions United on goal difference.
English league soccer standings after matches played on Saturday: Premier league P W D L F A Pts 1. Arsenal 27 20 7 0 53 18 67 2. Chelsea 27 18 4 5 48 21 58 3. Manchester United 27 18 4 5 51 25 58 4. Newcastle United 26 10 11 5 37 27 41 5. Charlton Athletic 27 11 7 9 38 34 40 6. Liverpool 25 10 8 7 36 27 38 7. Aston Villa 27 10 7 10 32 32 37 8. Fulham 27 10 6 11 39 38 36 9. Birmingham City 25 9 9 7 25 28 36 10. Tottenham Hotspur 26 10 4 12 39 42 34 11. Bolton Wanderers 26 8 10 8 32 40 34 12. Southampton 27 8 9 10 27 27 33 13. Middlesbrough 25 8 7 10 27 31 31 14. Everton 27 7 8 12 33 39 29 15. Blackburn Rovers 27 7 7 13 39 44 28 16. Manchester City 27 6 9 12 36 39 27 17. Wolverhampton Wanderers 27 5 9 13 24 52 24 18. Portsmouth 25 6 5 14 28 39 23 19. Leicester City 27 4 11 12 37 51 23 20. Leeds United 26 5 6 15 24 51 21
Bureau Report