▶ Liverpool kept their lead at the top of the table..
[2001/12/10]
Liverpool kept their lead at the top of the table with an easy 2-0 victory against Middlesbrough. Liverpool, who are now six points clear, never looked like struggling against Boro. Amazing Michael Owen struck his 20th goal of the season after Boro lost it's goal-keeper, Mark Crossley, with a serious looking injury. Patrick Berger added the second goal on the stroke of the half-time as Liverpool's good run continued.
Manchester United lost again, this time 1-0 at home against West Ham United after David Beckham was again left on the bench.
Jermain Defoe won it for the Hammers with a fine header from Paolo di Canio's 64th minute cross. United tried endlessly to hit back with Mikael Silvestre denied an equaliser by a superb save by David James. Charlton shattered Tottenham's hopes of climbing into the top three as they won 3-1 against the spurs. Graham Stuart put Charlton ahead on his 100th appearance for the club following a Dean Richards error.
Kevin Lisbie struck twice for Charlton before Gustavo Poyet netted a late consolation as Spurs' impressive run came to an end.
Derby County picked up three vital points with a 1-0 victory at home against Bolton. Malcolm Christie broke the deadlock as the Rams kept Bolton down. Fulham enjoyed a 2-0 win against Everton at Craven Cottage. The Cottagers went ahead just before half-time when Barry Hayles scored Rufus Brevett's cross. And it was Hayles who tapped in Fulham's second following a corner as Fulham made it six games without losing.
Southampton secured a crucial 4-0 win at fellow strugglers Leicester City.
Anders Svensson took just 12 minutes to volley the Saints ahead from a Marian Pahars flick-on. James Beattie added the second and another goal from Svensson and the fourth from Pahars wrapped up the win.
