Slow-and-steady Arsenal a step behind leaders Man U

With that Bradford’s prospects of gaining anything from this game evaporated and it was a question of when Arsenal would make the breakthrough.

They did so after just 17 minutes. Dennis Bergkamp’s delightful touch gave Parlour the space to move forward and drill a ferocious right foot shot into the bottom corner of Gary Walsh’s goal. Nine minutes later Lee Dixon crossed for Lauren to head a second into the same corner and the result was settled beyond doubt.

Arsene Wenger’s side settled into an energy-saving routine, mindful of their trip to Coventry in four days time, but there was enough spare in the tank for them to twice rattle the Bradford woodwork. Thierry Henry’s intelligent sidefoot gave Parlour a run at goal, only this time Walsh got a slight touch to divert the ball on to the foot of a post. Substitute Gilles Grimandi then fed a measured pass into Cole’s path and the young full-back strode on before driving in a low shot which beat Walsh but bounced to safety off the post.

Charlton’s eighth premiership win at the valley this season saw them climb above London rivals Chelsea into eighth place after beating strugglers Derby 2-1.

Barcelona unbeaten
BARCELONA: Barcelona have extended their unbeaten run to 16 matches with a 2-1 win over holders Espanyol in the first leg of their Spanish King’s Cup quarter-final at home.

Brazil’s Rivaldo curled in a free kick after 13 minutes and striker Alfonso added the second three minutes before halftime. Espanyol scored a lucky equaliser when the referee was unsighted as a badly-timed clearance by Abelardo hit Raul Tamudo’s arm. The young striker played on and calmly slotted past goalkeeper Jose Manuel Reina to make it 2-1.

Nantes, St Etiene win
PARIS: Nantes and St Etienne have scored contrasting victories to seal their places in the last eight of the French League Cup. First division high-flyers Nantes needed a penalty shootout before triumphing away to third division Valence while St Etienne cruised to a 2-0 home win over AJ Auxerre yesterday.

Baiano in dope net
RIO DE JANEIRO: Former Brazil World Cup defender Junior Baiano has tested positive for cocaine, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has said. A CBF official yesterday said the 30-year-old Baiano, who was ever-present for Brazil at the 1998 World Cup in France but has not played for his country since, failed a dope test following the final of Brazil’s Joao Havelange Cup between Vasco da Gama and Sao Caetano two weeks ago.

The player, who has suffered disciplinary problems throughout his career, has been given an automatic 30-day suspension but faces a disciplinary tribunal and could eventually be banned for up to one year, the CBF said.

Laursen strikes
GLASGOW: Ulrick Laursen secured a valuable point for Hibernian in a 1-1 draw at Kilmarnock yesterday. The Danish defender headed home an 88th minute corner from David Zitelli to rescue his second-placed side as the Scottish Premier League resumed after a four-week winter break.

Hibs moved to 55 points from 26 games, eight behind leaders Celtic who visit St Johnstone today.