Man United extends pursuit in Premiership
By Vic Mills
LONDON (JP): Manchester United continued its inexorable pursuit of a fourth Premier League title in five years with a comfortable win over Coventry City at the weekend.
The odds on the title staying in Manchester shortened still further as nearest challengers Liverpool and Newcastle United both lost.
The contest at Old Trafford ended remarkably early with United two up after just five minutes. Gary Green helped United on its way with a goal after four minutes; seconds later he was a spectator as Andy Cole's deflected shot made it two. Charitable finishing thereafter by United stopped the first half from being a landslide.
Early in the second period Karel Poborsky, playing his best game for some weeks, added a third. United now stands four points clear of Liverpool at the top after the Anfield club fell foul of a late goal against Aston Villa.
A tightly-contested match at Villa Park appeared to be heading for a draw with both sides frustrated by a treacherous playing surface that cut up within minutes of the kick-off.
The deadlock was broken in the 83rd minute, however, as midfielder Ian Taylor stole in unmarked at the far post to half- volley an Andy Townsend cross into the roof of the net.
No team lives off one man alone. But one man was sadly missed at St James' Park on Saturday. No Shearer, no goals was the outcome of another miserable afternoon around Tyneside as the pride of the northeast fell further behind in the title race.
Despite enjoying ample possession and opportunity, Newcastle United was never allowed to settle by a Southampton side displaying greater commitment and desire.
As he did a month ago, Matthew Le Tissier decided the issue in the 56th minute, striking an 18 yard shot past the despairing Shaka Hislop as the home defense was again caught square.
There was better news for north London at the weekend as Arsenal rekindled its feint championship hopes with a convincing 2-0 win at Everton.
Arsenal made light of the gale-force winds to score in the 21st minute through Dennis Bergkamp. Six minutes later, Ian Wright, given far too much time and space on the edge of the area, extended the lead with his 25th goal of the season.
The win lifts the Gunners to third place in the Premiership, six points behind Manchester United having played a game more.
Victim
At Selhurst Park, meanwhile, Wimbledon looked more a victim of its own success than the team of the moment. A crowded fixture list added to the lethal combination of missing players and tired legs showed in the first-half as they conceded three goals to Leicester City.
The Midlanders, desperate for Premiership security, had defender Matt Elliot to thank for the first two goals, both from the corners. A Mark Robins overhead kick in the 32nd minute put the issue beyond doubt.
Wimbledon was again in action on Monday evening, making it four games in nine days, with a 1-1 draw at Coventry City.
Blustery conditions and a difficult pitch made the game a lottery at the Baseball Ground where Derby County beat Chelsea 3- 2, courtesy of a last minute scrambled winner from Ashley Ward.
The conditions were only partly to blame, however, in a niggling game that ended with scuffles at the final whistle. For once the Europeans did not cover themselves in glory, sprawling on the turf at the merest hint of a tackle. Cultured French defender Frank Lebpeuf further blotted his copybook by receiving a red card for deliberate handball.
There were nine foreigners on view at Hillsborough, yet in a typically fast and furious English game Sheffield Wednesday beat Middlesbrough 3-1 with goals from Andy Booth, Graham Hyde and Mark Pembridge. The defeat leaves the Teeside club five points adrift at the bottom.
In other relegation issues, a Dean Saunders goal for Nottingham Forest was enough to beat Tottenham Hotspur; West Ham had Michael Hughes sent off as they went down to a Lee Sharpe goal at Leeds; and Blackburn Rovers moved three points closer to survival thanks to a Kevin Gallacher strike against Sunderland.
Italian league
In common with the Premiership, the Italian league is fast developing into a race for second place. For despite missing del Piero, Boksic, Zidane and Deschamps, Juventus extended its lead to seven points with goals from Michele Padovano and Angelo Di Livio in a 2-0 win over Vicenza.
The incentive for the runner-up in Serie A is a guaranteed place in next season's lucrative Champions League. Internazionale currently stand second on goal difference from Palma following its 3-0 win at Piacenza, Paul Ince scoring twice.
Recovering strongly after a slow start to the season, Palma beat lowly Cagliari 3-2 with goals from Lilian Thuram and two from Argentinean Hernan Crespo. The win lifted Palma above Sampdoria, which went down 2-1 to a last-minute Igor Kolyyvanov goal for Bologna.
There are runaway leaders in Spain where Real Madrid now top the first division by nine points following a 2-0 win over Espanyol at the weekend. Nearest challengers Barcelona had two players sent off as they slumped to their sixth defeat of the season, 4-0 at Tenerife.