September 29, 2003	Monday	Sha’aban 2, 1424

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LONDON, Sept 28: Kevin Lisbie and Steve Watson both scored premier league hat tricks on Sunday as Charlton Athletic came from behind to beat Liverpool 3-2 and Everton demolished Leeds United 4-0.

Fulham earned a convincing 2-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park, while Manchester City played out a goalless draw while playing host to Tottenham Hotspur.

The place to be for goals was The Valley, where Charlton stunned Liverpool thanks to their Jamaica striker Lisbie.

Czech midfielder Vladimir Smicer gave Liverpool an early lead, brilliantly put through by Australia playmaker Harry Kewell, but a double strike by Lisbie put Charlton in front just before the break.

England striker Michael Owen equalised within minutes of the re-start from the penalty spot but Lisbie, who has been regularly barracked by Charlton fans, answered his critics in style with a superb solo winner in the 83rd minute.

Kewell hit the woodwork in stoppage time but Charlton held on for a first home league win of the season that left them 12th in the table on eight points, while Liverpool slipped to eighth with 11 points.

Watson hit two in the first half at Goodison Park, with Duncan Ferguson also getting on the scoresheet, before bringing up his hat trick soon after.

The totally one-sided victory moved Everton up to 10th in the table on eight points, leading Blackburn and Charlton on goal difference.

Fulham are seventh after a goal in each half, scored by Portuguese forward Luis Boa Morte and French striker Louis Saha, earned them a fully-deserved victory at Ewood Park.

results

Blackburn 0 Fulham 2

Charlton 3 Liverpool 2

Everton 4 Leeds 0

Manchester City 0 Tottenham 0

first wins of the season

MADRID: Albacete claimed their first points since returning to the Primera Liga with a 2-0 win over Real Mallorca at the Carlos Belmonte stadium on Sunday.

A well-struck free kick from midfielder Libero Parri in the first half and a powerful header from striker Mikel late on in the second hauled Cesar Ferrando’s side off the bottom of the table and ended their wretched run of form since promotion to the top flight.

Malaga also gained their first win of the season with a 2-1 victory away to Espanyol, the goals coming from Uruguayan midfielder Marcelo Romero and recent signing Salva Ballesta.

Espanyol, who have yet to win a game, now replace Albacete at the foot of the table.

An early goal from Mista and a second-half strike from Brazilian forward Ricardo Oliveira gave Rafa Benitez’s side a thoroughly deserved triumph over last season’s champions.

Former leaders Deportivo Coruna lost their 100 percent record on Saturday after they slumped to a surprise 3-2 defeat at Osasuna, shipping three goals in nightmare four-minute spell in the first half.

Albacete 2 Real Mallorca 0

Espanyol 1 Malaga 2

Racing Santander 0 Villarreal 2

Real Zaragoza 0 Real Betis 1

—Agencies