/ 19 September 2004

Victory for Arsenal, Blackburn Rovers

Champions Arsenal dropped their first points of the English Premiership season on Saturday as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Bolton Wanderers at Highbury.

Thierry Henry and Robert Pires scored for the home side as Arsenal twice moved in front but Radhi Jaidi and Henrik Pedersen rescued a point for Bolton.

”Overall you cannot say it was an undeserved result for them but it was frustrating for us because we were twice in the lead,” a disappointed Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said.

”We didn’t find our usual technical level today. We got caught in the air from their set pieces and showed weaknesses. We looked naive for their goals.”

”[But] Bolton have beaten Liverpool and drawn with Manchester United in their previous two games so they deserve credit, they look sharp and have technically good players.”

Despite the result, Arsenal extended their lead at the top to three points from Chelsea, who play Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, and further extended their record unbeaten Premiership run to 46 games.

Meanwhile, Mark Hughes enjoyed a winning start to his reign as Blackburn Rovers manager as his side saw off Portsmouth 1-0 at Ewood Park.

Matt Jansen’s goal 15 minutes from time was enough to give Blackburn their first victory of the Premiership season.

Two goals from Nicolas Anelka, the second from the penalty spot, helped ease the pressure on Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan as the visitors won 2-1 at struggling Crystal Palace.

Birmingham City had Damien Johnson sent off but still managed a come-from-behind 1-1 draw with Charlton Athletic, Kanu scored his first goal for West Bromwich Albion as they drew 1-1 with Fulham, while Norwich City and Aston Villa drew 0-0 in the day’s other match.

Chelsea can draw level on points with Arsenal at the top if they beat Tottenham on Sunday, while Graeme Souness takes charge of his first Premiership game as Newcastle manager when the Magpies travel to Southampton.

Everton entertain Middlesbrough in Sunday’s other match, while Manchester United and Liverpool meet at Old Trafford on Monday night. — Sapa-DPA