Liverpool stays on top at English Premiership

By Vic Mills

LONDON (JP): Liverpool's three-point lead in the English Premiership goes unchallenged this weekend as top-flight football is put on hold due to World Cup duty.

It maintained its top spot last Sunday afternoon with a goal against West Ham that was vintage Liverpool, passing and moving, patience and precision, the very essence of team play.

The goal finished by Michael Thomas proved not only that the team can play the continental game of counterattack, but was a fitting reward for a team that, through injury, had lost its striking partnership and yet now has the resilience that was missing last season to go on and "grind out" results.

In contrast to Merseyside's method, second place, Newcastle continues to excite and exasperate in equal measure. The league position little tells the story of a defense that leaks goals or of error-prone goalkeepers. In defensive terms, charity begins on Tyneside.

To the relief of Newcastle's accountants, the partnership of Ferdinand and Shearer is paying dividends. As defense targets the 15-million pound man, the other is left to revel in newfound space and opportunity.

And all the while Keegan shuffles his pack seeking last season's elusive balance. Off the pitch, speculation surrounds the future of both Asprilla and Ginola. With winter chill threatening, the Colombian may seek a return to the Italian Riviera, while the arrival of Arsene Wenger at Arsenal may be enough to lure his fellow countryman to London.

With events falling somewhere between comedy, tragedy and farce, the miracle of Highbury is that Arsenal now stands third in the Premiership. Yet only a short time ago supporters were undecided as to whether a manager or agony aunt would be the best appointment.

While Wenger is set to add to his squad, the midfield desperate for an injection of ideas, there are no immediate plans to enter the transfer market.

Forward

The need for more forward powers has been eased by the goals of Ian Wright. With Bergkamp out injured, Wright has responded admirably to the extra responsibility. His cause helped in no small measure by the form and fitness of England recall, Paul Merson. The final peace of the jigsaw was the return and rehabilitation of club captain, Tony Adams.

Yet to display the consistency of last season, reigning champion's Manchester United has assembled another powerful squad. Strengthened by the summer signing of Poborsky and Cruyff, the best value, however, appears to be the 15 million pounds paid for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer from Molde. The young Norwegian, with five goals to date, has swiftly taken the place of fallen idol, Andy Cole.

With Cantona and Giggs below their best, and Keane just back from injury, the lead role in midfield has fallen to 22-year-old David Beckham. Mature beyond his years, his performance has justifiably brought England selection. Crunch time for senior professionals and youngsters alike comes next weekend with the visit of Liverpool.

In a season of surprises, few have been more dramatic than the form of Wimbledon. Previously at the bottom and without a point after three games, it has won its last five and now stands fifth in the Premiership.

Savoring its elevation, Wimbledon defies logic. Known affectionately as the Crazy Gang, it runs on a shoestring budget, with no stars, a style of play that borders on intimidatory, and before the smallest crowds in the Premiership. Yet few clubs welcome a visit to Selhurst Park.

The success of Wimbledon has been in marked contrast to the likes of big spending Middlesbrough and Chelsea. Early form and spectacular goals from its foreign stars only flattered to deceive.

The story is the more extreme at the foot of the table where Blackburn languish at bottom with Conventry and Southampton just above.

Blackburn's miserable start is closely linked to the departure of Shearer and Dalglish. While not playing as poorly as its position dictates, the team nevertheless seems unable to move clear of the danger zone. Coventry, too, is far better than its position mandates, but a general lack of confidence is clearly evident in its play.

High achievers in previous seasons, Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham and Everton also find themselves at the wrong end of the Premiership. Purchasing power will take some to safety, although none have a divine right to top-flight football.

As indeed does no player have a divine right to remain on the pitch. Or so state some recently released statistics on the use of red and yellow cards. Of the referees officiating in the Premiership, eight were seen to average over four cards a game, with two as high as 6.25 a game.

The frustration of managers at this trend can be gauged by the fact that five -- Souness, Robson, Royle, Atkinson and Reid -- stand charged with bringing the game into disrepute following comments about referees.

This week the World Cup matches could not have been better timed, allowing as it does managers and players a valuable cooling-off period. And all this, with the season just eight games old!