- 10 hours ago
A seventeen game unbeaten run has swept Arsenal to the brink of the Premier League title. A win today and they will clinch it with two games still to go.
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00:00The Premiership on the 3rd of May 1998, knowing a win would secure the Premiership trophy
00:05and so make it 11 league titles in all for the Gunners.
00:09Everton have managed just one win in six prior to this one
00:12and were in serious trouble, just three points off the bottom of the table.
00:17There was one change to the Gunners' line-up that had beaten Derby 1-0 in their last match.
00:21Christopher Wray started up front in place of Dennis Bergkamp, who was injured.
00:25Arsenal have won their last eight matches in all competitions.
00:30An extremely defensive-looking Everton line-up.
00:32No less than six defenders in all, with centre-back Slavin Bilic playing a holding role in midfield.
00:38Everton had only beaten Arsenal once in 11 Premiership meetings between the clubs.
00:42A draw looked to be the summit of their ambitions this time around.
00:49A fevered atmosphere in North London. Your match commentator is Paul Dempsey.
00:55It's Everton in their famous blue, from right to left, attacking the North Bank.
01:02Ray Parler gets Arsenal going forward for the first time.
01:05Tried to pick out Anelka.
01:10Everton's boss, Howard Kendall,
01:15said, we have a game plan, we are prepared, and we are looking for a fight.
01:22Ferguson got his foot in, but he only reached Anelka.
01:24Manuel Petit, who's been in blinding form,
01:28tried to pick out Mark Overmars.
01:30Good first touch for the Norwegian keeper, Mure.
01:35A rare success story for Everton this season, the keeper.
01:39It's up to Ferguson.
01:40Keown won the header.
01:42Dixon won the tackle.
01:45Peter Brieger stayed down.
01:54So,
01:56first chance for Everton to try to get some service in
01:59to Duncan Ferguson.
02:00Brieger on his feet, OK.
02:03Our match referee, incidentally, Gerald Ashby,
02:05who referees his last senior game today.
02:08Hutchison got a shot off.
02:11What have Arsenal got on the counter-attack?
02:14Winterburn.
02:15Four men forward.
02:17One of them is Chris Wray.
02:20Thomas Moura was left unprotected.
02:23And he just underlined why
02:25he has been such a success.
02:27Great take on the chest.
02:31Well,
02:31Harrod Kendall
02:33is actually the most successful manager in Everton's history.
02:37His third spell
02:39in charge of Everton.
02:40And for all his great successes in the 80s,
02:43praying that he is not going to go down as the manager
02:46to take Everton down
02:47after 44 years in the top flight.
02:52I mentioned that
02:55Everton came into the game with
02:57four recognised centre-halves
02:59and sure enough,
02:59one of them has been pushed forward.
03:01It's Slavin Bilic
03:02into a holding role in the middle of the field.
03:10Big game for Gerald Ashby
03:11to bow out with
03:12and
03:14nice to
03:15see him get this game.
03:27Ferguson got on the end of that one,
03:28but no real
03:29quality in the service.
03:31He fought it out with
03:31three Arsenal defenders then.
03:34And the Arsenal boys came out on top.
03:36They'll relish the physical challenge.
03:38It's Mark Overmars on the counter.
03:40Dave Watson stepped up to him.
03:42Ray again found himself with lots of room.
03:44Vieira.
03:45But there were six blue shirts back behind the ball
03:47quickly for Everton.
03:52Dixon over the top.
03:53Big wind blowing down the field here today as well.
04:00What a test for each of these Everton players.
04:09free kick
04:10right in front of Wendy Toms.
04:13Conceded by the youngster
04:14Michael Ball.
04:15Probably the biggest game that young ball has ever played in
04:18in his life so far.
04:20It's a day for experienced hands,
04:22but Everton have a
04:23great clutch of
04:25promising youngsters.
04:26Ball's the only one who makes the cut for today.
04:31All the big men
04:32forward for Arsenal.
04:35What a start!
04:38Would you believe it?
04:40It's Tony Adams.
04:43Patisse ball to the back post.
04:45And really nobody went with Adams.
04:48He got back
04:48and got his header on target.
04:50Moura couldn't make a save.
04:52And if that is the goal
04:54that wins the Premier League trophy for Arsenal,
04:57the fairytale writers will go out of business.
05:07Winterbrown won his challenge.
05:20Hucherson up to Bilic.
05:35Hucherson up to Bilic.
05:44Martin Keogh.
05:45This game is settling into a very
05:47worrying pattern for Everton.
05:58Winterbrown up to Anelka.
06:00Nigel Winterbrown continued his run
06:01and linked brilliantly with Anelka again.
06:05only needed a touch from Ray
06:06who was closing in as well.
06:11No Ian Wright.
06:12No Dennis Bergkamp.
06:13Arsenal still look
06:15irresistible going forward.
06:23Ferguson won that well in the air for Everton.
06:26Bits and pieces picked up by Bilic.
06:28Jono Kane.
06:29Winterbrown out to him.
06:34And Winterbrown just continued to run on.
06:36So confident.
06:41Everton are going to have to stop him.
06:43Ray's ball in was a great ball.
06:45What a goal that would have been for Ray Parler.
06:47More excellent keeping from Moura.
06:51The old and the new of Arsenal working so well together.
06:54And one of the homegrown products Parler got on the end of it.
06:57Ray's instinctive header on.
06:59And an equally instinctive header by Parler.
07:14Stern challenge from Hutchison.
07:15But a good one.
07:17Slavin Bilic.
07:19Didn't have the legs to get away from Vieira.
07:28Petit over the top.
07:29Keeper came out early.
07:32Needed help from Short and he got it.
07:36And just as well for Everton.
07:39And Elka's pace is frightening.
07:41Here comes Petit who can shift.
07:42And so too can Ray.
07:57Craig Short got back around Moura for Everton.
08:00Probably the right decision from the keeper to come though.
08:04And it's just as well for Everton that he is right on top of his game.
08:20They'll hook to build on that discipline.
08:33Hutcheson up to Bilic.
08:35It's not his natural position in the middle of the field.
08:37Slavin Bilic and surrounded by such expert practitioners of midfield play.
08:43He does appear to be struggling.
08:45That was the big gamble by Howard Kendall today that he could play in that role.
08:48Petit's ball in.
08:49Lee Dixon chasing onto it.
08:50Almost got the pieces off the keeper.
08:52And second time.
08:53Off Short.
08:56Two falls and a submission then.
09:00But no goal for Arsenal.
09:02Everton survive again.
09:05The decision seemed right from the keeper.
09:07But maybe the expertise was wrong.
09:08And the handling.
09:10Dixon tried to make a better job of handling it.
09:20Great jump by Keown on Ferguson.
09:27Fell to parlor.
09:29Well read by O'Kane.
09:31The former Manchester United youngster.
09:36Bilic tried to release Bigri.
09:38Peter Bigri's had a little dart early on at Lee Dixon.
09:41Now he's having a go at Nigel Winterburn down the other flank.
09:44But frankly the form that Winterburn is in today.
09:47That's going to be a tall order.
09:51Short stepped out from the back for Everton.
09:53Arsenal have a man down.
09:54I think it's Emmanuel Petit.
09:57Bigri goes on.
10:01And he lost the ball in the end.
10:02Overmars.
10:04Where's the help for Mark Overmars?
10:05He has the pace to go alone if necessary.
10:08This is Overmars.
10:09That is two for Arsenal.
10:11And it could be curtains for Everton.
10:1428 minutes gone.
10:15And now Arsene Wenger.
10:18Looks a little more relaxed.
10:20And maybe the real thing is coming to the party in an hour from now.
10:24Sand off Mark Overmars at your peril.
10:26But if you dive in he can leave you on your backside.
10:29That's the devil's dilemma.
10:31He also has the finishing touch here.
10:33Dave Watson just lets him run at him into the box.
10:36Maybe the keeper could have kept it out on another day.
10:42Three on three.
10:44Dixon ball over the top.
10:46May have been the one but it was...
10:49Anelka that Dixon tried to reach.
11:05Again the youngster O'Kane exposed hopelessly.
11:08Overmars just took the ball off him.
11:12Anelka has power and pace.
11:17We didn't know too much about him six months ago.
11:20Kept in reserve by Arsenal early season.
11:24But they must have known something about him.
11:28To let John Hartson go.
11:31To West Ham.
11:33And one remembers Arsene Wenger early season saying.
11:38Of Anelka that he just needed to toughen himself up mentally for the job in English football.
11:44And then we would see an explosion of his talent.
11:51And that is what has happened.
11:54Hutchison taken out by Vieira.
11:56There is Anelka and all his pace.
11:58Could this finish it inside 35 minutes?
12:07Patrick Vieira allows himself a wry smile.
12:11And in the context of the season it probably won't count.
12:16But...
12:18That surely would have ended it all.
12:36Ray.
12:38Little one too with Anelka.
12:39The face of Arsenal strikers into the future perhaps.
12:42Ray Pard is the most forward Arsenal player here.
12:44It's on if he can twist it behind him.
12:46It's still on here for Vieira.
12:48This time he took a touch and tried to set somebody else up.
12:55Well by the time it reached Christopher Ray the options were limited.
13:02How well Ray Pard does to get into such a great position and then find Vieira.
13:07He had a first time strike five minutes ago which he squandered hopelessly.
13:25Big re-nipped in and won a tackle off Petit.
13:29O'Kane for Everton.
13:31Hutchison.
13:33Little lax.
13:36Christopher Ray.
13:40Over Mars.
13:41Everton have the bodies back.
13:43But the Dutchman has the guile.
13:45This is Chris Ray.
13:46Bilic got his foot in.
13:47Petit.
13:48Got one mid-week.
13:50A little closer it was against Derby but the same end of the ground.
13:53Keown comes through and takes everything including Ferguson.
13:57Here they go again.
14:05And this time Gerald Ashby is isolating Ferguson as the culprit.
14:10got one.
14:12Who wants to get married?
14:17Give it up.
14:19Let's go inside.
14:20Here is Gal-Ride.
14:21Here is Gal-Ride.
14:26There is Gal-Ride!
14:34Here is Gal-Ride.
14:41nice lad apparently
14:42just a bit fiery on the field
14:47looked a little bit high
14:48his challenge on Keown
14:50but make no mistake
14:53he'll be taking
14:54plenty from the Arsenal rearguard
14:56this afternoon as well
15:00on with the football
15:04and Elke got a great turn in
15:06well that would have been a Dennis Bergkamp
15:08picture book special
15:09in the absence of the Dutchman
15:14fabulous turn
15:15Mürer happily
15:16not forced to make a save
15:27and let no one
15:29denigrate the contribution
15:30that Emmanuel Petit has made
15:32along with this man Vieira
15:33in the middle of the field
15:34over the past
15:38four months since Christmas
15:40David Platt will get 45 minutes
15:44in what looks like being
15:46Arsenal's championship game
15:49has a habit
15:50of hanging around for a medal
15:51David Platt
15:54great talent to have
15:55if you're a professional footballer
16:06so 45 minutes before the party
16:09you feel
16:10half time here
16:11Arsenal 2
16:13Everton 0
16:18flick on from Ferguson
16:19wasn't a bad one
16:22fell only to Ray
16:33Vieira
16:34what chance
16:35what chance
16:35Vieira and Petit
16:36forcing their way
16:36into the French World Cup squad
16:38Vieira perhaps
16:39a
16:41more likely starter
16:42than Petit
16:43all one could say
16:44is that France
16:44must have an abundance
16:45of quality midfield men
16:47if either of those
16:48who are to get in
16:49but of course
16:49they do have
16:52David Platt
16:52space for Enelka
16:54another French World Cup
16:55dreamer
16:55goals will help his case
17:12Maddow made a good run
17:13Hutchison found him
17:16better signs from Everton
17:18here early in the
17:21second period
17:21but then again they were
17:24coming off a low mark
17:26after the first half
17:27display
17:41ball
17:44took a risk
17:45and maybe we'll get
17:46punished
17:46Mark Overmars
17:47has the pace to go
17:48it all alone here
17:49the Dutchman Overmars
17:50looking for his second
17:51what a fantastic way
17:53to get it
17:58world class
17:59from the Flying Dutchman
18:0157 minutes
18:03of this one played
18:04Arsenal
18:05will be crowned
18:07champions
18:07this afternoon
18:12there seemed
18:13virtually nothing on
18:13but he has
18:1510.3
18:16100 metre pace
18:18and a finish
18:20to match
18:20and poor old
18:22Dave Watson
18:22left trailing
18:23helplessly in his wake
18:36and his problems
18:37aren't
18:37to be summed up
18:38in one afternoon
18:40let's hope he gets
18:41a crack next season
18:48everything you could say
18:49about Arsenal
18:49in terms of
18:50tradition and support
18:53and size
18:53applies equally to
18:55Everton
18:55but they are
18:57miles and miles
18:58away from being a top
18:59side at the moment
19:16almost another error from
19:18and short just backed away
19:20frightened of the pace of
19:21Anelka
19:21he's got three in front of him
19:23but he's still got a shot
19:24well he's absolutely
19:29terrorising
19:30three big strong
19:32statuesque
19:33old style
19:34English defenders
19:35this Frenchman
19:43Nicholas Anelka
19:44makes way
19:45for the one and only
19:46Ian Wright
19:53back in first team
19:55duty
19:56for the first time
19:58in over three months
19:59he played in the reserves
20:00against West Ham
20:01on Monday night
20:02got a game under his belt
20:04then
20:11Steve Bold
20:16who has had a superb
20:17season
20:19on for Christopher
20:20Ray
20:21Ray certainly one for
20:22the future
20:25Bold
20:26one of those
20:27who refuses
20:29to go down
20:30as somebody from the
20:31past
20:35some people say
20:36even at 35
20:37he's played better
20:38this season
20:39than ever before
20:40some people say
21:10man of the match
21:11this afternoon
21:12mark over Mars
21:23and I don't think
21:24much surprise there
21:29so good of Arsenal
21:30being on the whole
21:31that the likes of
21:34David Platt
21:34have been forced to
21:36play bit parts
21:37in this championship
21:38year
21:40but over the course
21:41of the season
21:42in true championship
21:43style
21:45it's hard to think
21:46of any
21:48established
21:48Arsenal
21:53first team
21:54squad member
21:55who has not
21:55pulled his weight
21:56they've all done
21:56their bit
21:57and more
21:58and the likes of
21:59Bold
22:00Adams
22:01Dixon
22:02and Winterburn
22:03have got better
22:05with age
22:15off the field
22:16Arsenal
22:17look now as though
22:18they will be staying
22:18at Highbury
22:19into the new century
22:21with plans
22:22to redevelop
22:25to increase the
22:26capacity here
22:27and who knows
22:29whether
22:29Arsene Wenger may not
22:30be laying the
22:32foundations
22:33on the field
22:35for a new
22:35dynasty
22:42and this great
22:43old stadium
22:49wonderful to see
22:50David Platt
22:51in Arsenal
22:51colours next season
22:52Moura came
22:53and read it well
22:55and the second one
22:59but Platt
23:00apart
23:01it's
23:05Bold
23:05onto Adams
23:07this would be
23:08a fairy story
23:12can there be
23:13a sweeter moment
23:19Tony Adams
23:20clinches
23:21Arsenal's
23:23championship
23:26they will think
23:27they have died
23:27and gone to heaven
23:29what a professional
23:32what a finish
23:37the man who has
23:38been through
23:39hell
23:41on and off the field
23:48his third of the season
23:59poetic justice
24:00indeed
24:00for a man who
24:02lists his
24:02modern day hobbies
24:03as reading
24:05poetry
24:09a man who has
24:10reinvented himself
24:11as a player
24:12and got better
24:17David Seaman
24:18almost had to
24:19make a save
24:20from Ferguson
24:20but not quite
24:21going to be hard
24:26for Everton
24:27to lift themselves
24:27from this crushing
24:29defeat
24:33I would say
24:34that even given
24:36Tony Adams
24:36amazing career
24:37this might be
24:38the highlight
24:40they wrote him
24:41off
24:41they wrote Arsenal
24:43off
24:43they wrote
24:44Arsene Wenger
24:45off
24:45but it's everything
24:46every Arsenal fan
24:47could ever have
24:48wanted here
24:50Highbury in the
24:51sunshine
24:52Arsenal routing
24:53Everton
24:54it was a very
24:56special afternoon
24:57for the red half
24:58of North London
24:59amazingly
25:00Everton managed
25:01to escape relegation
25:02when a final day
25:03draw with Coventry
25:04proved enough
25:04to keep the
25:05toffees up
25:06on goal difference
25:07but Arsenal
25:08had a fitting
25:08end to their season
25:09with two of the
25:10club's longest
25:11serving players
25:12Steve Bold
25:12and Tony Adams
25:13involved in the
25:14final goal
25:15that secured
25:16the title for them
25:17Adams lifted
25:19the trophy
25:19after the game
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