NEWCASTLE, England, 12 April 2004 — Arsenal’s grip on the Premier League title tightened yesterday when they increased their lead to seven points with a battling 0-0 draw at Newcastle United.
Playing their fourth match in nine days Arsenal had the better chances, and strikers Thierry Henry and Jose Antonio Reyes should have scored in the second half of the London side’s 32nd unbeaten league game in succession this season.
Arsenal, with six games remaining, have 78 points, seven more than second-placed Chelsea who knocked them out of the Champions League on Tuesday.
Their remaining opponents are not the equals of Newcastle or Liverpool, beaten 4-2 at Highbury on Friday, and Arsenal could well become the first side to go through a league season without defeat.
Newcastle are equal on 49 points with fourth-placed Liverpool, the final spot for Champions League qualification, but are a place behind on goal difference.
Newcastle started strongly and Craig Bellamy forced a fine save from German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann with a flick at the near post in the sixth minute.
Arsenal fought their way back and French forward Sylvain Wiltord, playing his first Arsenal game since October due to injury, was given a clear shot on goal by a poor back pass by Jermaine Jenas. However he scuffed it wide with his left foot.
Inter Strike Late for 3-2 Comeback Win at Perugia
In Milan, Inter Milan scored twice in the final four minutes for a 3-2 comeback win at Perugia yesterday, boosting their hopes of Champions League qualification.
In a pulsating Serie A match, Brazilian Adriano fired Inter ahead with a superb solo goal in the 24th minute but goals early in the second half from Eusebio Di Francesco and Dario Hubner put Perugia 2-1 up.
Adriano pulled Inter level with another demonstration of his skill and power in the 86th minute and three minutes later Nigerian Obafemi Martins sprung Perugia’s offside trap and rounded keeper Zeljko Kalac to slot home the winner. The result moves Inter up to fifth place on 49 points, a point behind Parma who occupy the fourth qualifying spot for the Champions League with five games remaining.
Depor Complete Perfect Week With 2-0 Win Over Villarreal
In Madrid, Deportivo Coruna completed a perfect week when they reclaimed third spot in the Primera Liga with a 2-0 win at Villarreal yesterday.
Uruguayan center forward Walter Pandiani, who earlier missed a penalty, gave Depor the lead with a glancing header seven minutes from the break and substitute Diego Tristan made sure of the points with a deft chip in the final minute.
Sutton Double Sends Celtic Into Scottish Cup Final
In Glasgow, striker Chris Sutton scored two goals in Celtic’s 3-1 Scottish Cup semifinal victory over Livingston yesterday.
In the final on May 22, Celtic will meet the winners of a replay between first division Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Premier League Dunfermline Athletic, who drew 1-1 on Saturday.
Sutton, who signed a two-year contract extension this week with the runaway league leaders, opened the scoring in the 37th minute when he slotted home Stilan Petrov’s knockdown header inside the six-meter box. Former Sweden international Henrik Larsson doubled the advantage five minutes after the break with a dainty lob when he was one on one with McKenzie before Sutton grabbed his second 15 minutes later.
Kuranyi Keeps Stuttgart on Champions League Course
In Berlin, Kevin Kuranyi’s early goal gave VfB Stuttgart a 1-0 win at SC Freiburg yesterday that kept them on course for a Champions League spot.
The Germany striker headed home from a corner on 10 minutes to help Stuttgart consolidate third place and stay in contention for a place in at least the qualifying round of European club soccer’s showcase event.
Hanover 96 boosted their chances of escaping relegation by beating bottom club Cologne 1-0 with a first-half goal from striker Thomas Brdaric in the other match played yesterday.
Ittihad Remain on Top: King Fahd Cup
Al-Ittihad claimed top spot of the King Fahd Soccer Cup Tournament last night after a well judged volley from striker Mohammad Amin gave them a 1-0 victory over Al-Hilal at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium in Jeddah, writes Mahmoud Ahmad. The victory put Ittihad at the head of the table with 51 points. Amin broke the deadlock in what had been a delicately balanced match when he flicked a teammate’s free kick into the net in the 82nd minute and ensured his side’s fine victory.
