Super Suker pulls West Ham on par with Man United

Italian Paolo Di Canio scored a late penalty and with United on the back foot Suker struck the killer blow with a minute to go.

Finally the decision that Hammers had been waiting for came when Berg was penalised for fouling Joe Cole just inside the area and di Canio stepped up to drive his spot-kick straight down the middle.

That came with just four minutes left and West Ham duly launched an all-out assault on the United goal, which eventually bore fruit in the final minute.

Di Canio was again the inspiration as he crossed deep for Suker to plant a powerful header at the far post which Barthez could only parry against the post.

The ball rebounded across the face of goal and even if it had not already crossed the line, there was Lomas to smash the ball into the roof of the net.

There was plenty of drama at Highbury where Premiership newcomers Charlton, who have not beaten Arsenal in their last 14 meetings dating back to 1956, went down fighting in a 5-3 defeat away to Arsenal.

French international team-mates Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry scored two apiece while Brazilian Silvinho added a fifth. Andy Hunt struck twice and Graham Stuart netted the other for Charlton.

New signing Sylvain Wiltord must have been wondering if he had made the right decision as Charlton, who had not won against Arsenal for 44 years, went into a 2-1 lead with goals from former West Brom favourite Hunt.

Teenage sharpshooter Alan Smith notched his fifth goal in four games as Leeds beat Middlesbrough 2-1 at the Riverside.

Manchester City, promoted from the First Division last season, went down 2-1 to perennial strugglers Coventry at Maine Road.

Richard Edghill committed a huge blunder in the 23rd minute when he headed John Eustace8217;s high ball into his own net to gift Coventry the lead.

And Craig Bellamy, who was a constant threat with his darting runs, helped himself to the second on the stroke of half time. Kevin Horlock scored a consolational goal for City.

Titus Bramble scored the only goal for Ipswich in a 1-0 win over Sunderland while Bradford were held 0-0 at Valley Parade by Leicester.

In a repeat of May8217;s FA Cup final Aston Villa will be looking to avenge their 1-0 Wembley defeat when they entertain Chelsea at Villa Park tonight.

Racist slur

Paris: In contrast to last season, when Monaco romped to the title, northern France is holding sway after five games of the new French league programme with Lens and promoted Lille setting the pace.

Lens drew 1-1 at Bourdeaux while Lille edged Metz 2-1 to go second on goal difference above Nantes, held 1-1 at Toulouse.

Monaco are three points off the pace after they struggled to claim a 1-1 stalemate at Rennes after coming from behind.

On Friday, Strasbourg police charged a man in relation to behaviour liable to incite racial hatred after Nazi swastikas and anti-Semitic graffiti were daubed on the walls of the club8217;s Meinau stadium following a home defeat against Monaco on August 12.

But before Saturday8217;s match fans unfurled anti-racist slogans in the stands proclaiming the vast majority of fans do not have fascist tendancies.

8220;Faches mais pas fachos8221; angry but not fascist read placards waved by members of the Ultraboys 90 supporters club. 8220;The racists are dragging the name of the true supporter through the mud,8221; read other banners.