England under-21 international Jermaine Jenas scored his first Premiership goal
England under-21 international Jermaine Jenas scored his first Premiership goal on Saturday - and it was a strike Zinedine Zidane would have been proud of...
Jenas let rip from 30 yards to earn Newcastle a 2-2 draw at West Ham and Sir Bobby Robson said about the 19-year-old: "He saved us the game. It was a great strike."
West Ham named nine Englishmen in their starting line-up including new signing LEE BOWYER and their skipper JOE COLE turned in an outstanding individual performance capped by The Hammers opening goal.
JERMAIN DEFOE was also on target for the home side whose manager Glenn Roeder says he is aware of dealing with the off-field baggage that comes with Bowyer, who made his England debut against Portugal earlier this season.
"Lee is my responsibility now; I accept that responsibility and I am not expecting problems with him," said Roeder.
The name of JAMES BEATTIE should feature in Sven Goran Eriksson's next England squad according to many.
Certainly the Southampton striker didn't do his prospects any harm at all with a brilliant double strike in the 2-2 draw at Middlesbrough, celebrating by removing his shirt to unveil a vest with the message 'Obvious'.
Not that Beattie was too happy after a controversial late Boro penalty denied The Saints a victory. "It took the shine off my two goals," he said. "It was disappointing enough to draw but to do it like that is another thing."
The first name in Sven's squad could be PAUL SCHOLES who carried on his outstanding form for Manchester United with a classic strike in the 3-1 win at West Brom.
United trailed early on but levelled within 22 seconds when DAVID BECKHAM produced the pass of the game for Ruud van Nistelrooy to score.
"It was important to hit back immediately," said winning manager Sir Alex Ferguson whose side keep the heat on leaders Arsenal, who won 4-0 at Birmingham on Sunday.
Euro 96 left-back GRAEME LE SAUX scored for Chelsea in their 4-1 win against Charlton as they went clear third ahead of Newcastle.
The headlines at Bolton were made by striker MICHAEL RICKETTS even though he didn't play. Ricketts, who made his England debut a year ago in Holland, sat out a goalless draw with a hamstring injury.
But speculation linking him with a move to Spurs won't go away. "The monetary side will have to be right for us," warned Bolton manager Sam Allardyce. "If someone offers us £10million he will go."
Finally, congratulations to MICHAEL OWEN. He returned to the scoresheet for Liverpool after a 10-week absence - although his opener was cancelled out by a penalty from DION DUBLIN.
Premiership results (Jan 11th/12th)
Birmingham 0 Arsenal 4
Bolton 0 Fulham 0
Chelsea 4 Charlton 1
Liverpool 1 Aston Villa 1
Manchester City 2 Leeds 1
Middlesbrough 2 Southampton 2
Sunderland 0 Blackburn 0
Tottenham 4 Everton 2
West Brom 1 Manchester United 3
West Ham 2 Newcastle 2
Lion Watch is compiled by Joe Bernstein