Thu, Aug 28, 2003 - Page 20 News List

Portsmouth now leads in English Premier League

AP , LONDON

Newly promoted Portsmouth jumped to the top of the Premier League on Tuesday as Teddy Sheringham scored a hat-trick in a 4-0 defeat of Bolton.

Portsmouth, the division one champion last season, goes top on goal difference having won two and drawn one game this season.

Sheringham scored in the 57th and 88th minutes and added a 90th minute penalty at Fratton Park Stadium.

Steven Stone had opened the scoring in the 48th minute.

Portsmouth's standout midfielder Patrik Berger exchanged passes with Sheringham before firing a low shot at Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen. Stone scored from the rebound.

Sheringham headed his first, teamed up with Stone to score his second at close range before converting a penalty for a foul on substitute Vincent Pericard.

Pompey is back in the top flight for just the second time since 1959. The south coast team had one season among the big clubs in 1987-1988 but was relegated again.

"We collapsed," Bolton manager Sam Allardyce said. "It was an embarrassing and diabolical performance in the last 25 minutes.

In the other Premier League matches Tuesday: Charlton 2 Everton 2, Leeds 0 Southampton 0 and Leicester 0 Middlesbrough 0.

Everton's teenage striker Wayne Rooney leveled the score for Everton in the 72nd minute after Jason Euell had converted two penalties for Charlton.

Euell scored in the 25th and 49th minutes, sandwiched between Steve Watson's 26th minute strike for Everton.

Euell's first spot kick was earned when David Unsworth tackled Scott Parker. Watson equalized by taking advantage of a defensive lapse to lob the ball over Charlton goalkeeper Dean Kiely.

When Hermann Hreidarsson was tackled by Everton's Joseph Yobo in the box, referee Steve Dunn awarded a second penalty. Euell again sent Everton goalkeeper Richard Wright the wrong way.

Leeds and Southampton are still searching for their first wins of the season after a scoreless draw at Elland Road. Saints goalkeeper Paul Jones kept Leeds at bay in the first half with a number of fine saves.

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