Mwaruwari tops English Premier League top scorers' chart

Mwaruwari tops English Premier League top scorers' chart

MWARUWARI celebrates scoring on Sunday

• Mwaruwari scores in Manchester United draw

• Mwaruwari fires Pompey into Asia Trophy final

• Mwaruwari sets Pompey target

• Mwaruwari set to commit future to Portsmouth

• Mwaruwari cuts holiday to play in Kanu fundraiser

• Mwaruwari named skipper, scores for Pompey

By Sports Reporter

BENJANI Mwaruwari’s rich vein of form took him to the top of the English Premier League’s goal scorers charts after he scored the opener in the 2-0 win away to Fulham on Sunday.

The win at Craven Cottage was Pompey’s fourth consecutive win in the Barclays Premier League.

The Zimbabwean -- who smashed in a hat-trick in last week's 7-4 record romp against Reading -- scored four minutes after half-time, just when it seemed as if Pompey were going to have a rare off day.

And before Fulham could get its breath back, the Cottagers were 2-0 down as Portsmouth full-back Hermann Hreidarsson overlapped brilliantly down the left, just stayed onside and pounced on Niko Kranjcar's pass to force the ball past goalkeeper Kasey Keller.

Portsmouth's two-minute double was as dramatic as it was unexpected because Fulham had taken charge in the first half and had been threatening a rare win.

Mwaruwari set himself a double-digit goal target this year, and his six goals in only seven starts for Pompey have set him well on his way to meeting his target. He is level on goals scored with Arsenal's Emmanuel Adebayor.

Sunday’s win lifted Portsmouth to fifth on the league, and facing the prospect of fighting for a European place.

"It was a great result, but I don't get carried away," said manager Harry Redknapp. "Europe is possible, but if we can finish in the top half it will be a great achievement. I know where the club has been."

Ahead of Sunday’s match, Harry had showered praise on the Zimbabwean striker.

He said: “How can I leave him out after a performance like that (7-4 win over Reading)?

"He had a tight hamstring himself all week but when we found Kanu wouldn't be ready, Benjani was the one who replaced him as the central striker and he was excellent.

"Let's be honest, Benjani has always been excellent here in whatever position. It was a surprise he scored three goals because he has never been a great goalscorer for us, but he makes chances for others and always works his socks off. The fans idolise him.

"I've always had a lot of time for Benjani, he's a real team player and it was great to see him getting some personal glory. And everybody knows how much I think of Kanu. To be fair, he's the one we have relied on whenever we've played just one up front. The way he can hold the ball up and bring other people into play is probably second to none.”
JOIN THE DEBATE ON THIS ARTICLE ON THE NEWZIMBABWE.COM FORUMS
ozzie@newzimbabwe.com