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In the "Premier" League today, eight matches of the second round were played. There were no major surprises in this round. Hosts secured five wins, while three matches ended with victories for the visitors.
3 - 2 32' [1 - 0] 50' [1 - 1] 68' [1 - 2] 74' [2 - 2] 90' [3 - 2] (From penalty spot)
The visitors started the game more successfully in the dramatic match. However, some of their chances did not end in goals, but Kevin Phillips scored the first goal from a few meters in the 32nd minute. At the beginning of the second half, "Blackburn" took the initiative and Barris Ferguson equalized the score in the 50th minute. Furthermore, midway through the half, the visitors took the lead - Paul Dickov scored his second goal from about 11 meters. The hosts did not lose hope and Anders Svensson restored the balance after six minutes. The climax of the match came in the 90th minute when "Blackburn" defender Craig Short committed a foul against James Beattie in the penalty area. The striker himself took the 11-meter penalty and scored accurately. The match ended with the first home win of the season for the hosts. "Blackburn" remains with just one point.
0 - 1 51' [0 - 1]
After a goalless first half, the visitors' player Atouba scored the only goal of the match early in the second half. The hosts' match could have ended even worse if not for the excellent performance of goalkeeper S. Given. Led by new coach Jaques Santini, the visitors secured their first victory in the championship. Meanwhile, it was the first failure of the season for Bobbio Robson's team.
0 - 1 68' [0 - 1]
In the first half, the expensive "Chelsea" players played poorly. Even strikers Eidur Gudjohnsen and Didier Drogba had to return to their own half to get the ball. However, the hosts failed to take advantage, and everything stopped in the 68th minute after Joe Cole's goal. After this victory, "Chelsea" became the sole leader of the championship. "Birmingham" played their first match against "Portsmouth" to a draw.
2 - 1 23' [1 - 0] 53' [1 - 1] 88' [2 - 1] (Own goal)
In the beginning of the match, the visitors played more successfully. Some of their chances almost ended in goals. Meanwhile, the hosts patiently waited for their chance. They got it in the 23rd minute when J. Euell scored after a pass from Dennis Romedhal. Patrick Berger scored a great goal early in the second half from about 30 meters, beating the oncoming hosts' goalkeeper. The third goal came at the end of the match. David Unsworth's header into his own goal gave the hosts the victory.
1 - 3 9' [1 - 0] 20' [1 - 1] (From penalty spot) 62' [1 - 2] Thomas Gravesen 82' [1 - 3]
At the debut in the "Premier" league, "Crystal Palace" footballers had a successful start to the match. Already in the ninth minute, M. Hudson put the hosts ahead. However, in the 20th minute, Danish player Thomas Gravesen scored from the penalty spot to equalize the score. Gravesen scored his second goal with a fine strike from 20 meters. In the 68th minute, the visitors' defender Gary Naysmith received a second yellow card and was sent off. However, the hosts failed to take advantage of the numerical superiority. Marcus Bent scored to secure the result with eight minutes left to play.
2 - 0 5' [1 - 0] 82' [2 - 0] Andy Cole
At the start of the match, the hosts showed that their only goal in these matches was the victory. In the 5th minute, Andy Cole's shot hit the crossbar, but it didn't stop him from scoring into the goal. Another goal was scored after more than an hour of play. In the 82nd minute, the same Andy Cole beat the visitors' goalkeeper for the second time. This was his 165th goal in the "Premier" league.
2 - 1 45' [0 - 1] 48' [1 - 1] 75' [2 - 1] 84' Sent off ("Man City")
The first goal was scored at the end of the first half. Goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek chose the wrong position, allowing Nicolas Anelka to put the visitors ahead. The hosts equalized soon after the break when the most efficient player in the European Championship, Milan Baros, restored parity. In the 75th minute, "Liverpool" took the lead after a precise shot from Steven Gerrard. Moreover, in the 84th minute, the visitors were reduced to ten men when Richard Dunne was sent off.
2 - 1 32' [1 - 0] 51' [2 - 0] 76' [2 - 1]
Another league debutant, "Norwich", faced a tough challenge in the second round against the prestigious "Man Utd" at "Old Trafford" stadium. However, the injury-hit "Man Utd" did not seem very strong at the start of the match. Nonetheless, the hosts took the lead in the 32nd minute after a precise shot from young David Bellion. Alan Smith doubled the score in the 51st minute with a fine shot with his left foot. As the match neared its end, the visitors had a few chances to score, and in the 76th minute, Paul McVeigh softened the scoreline.
