Soccer: Arsenal victory keeps pressure on Chelsea

LONDON - A spectacular 20m volley from Patrick Vieira gave Arsenal a 1-0 win at Newcastle United today as the champions kept the pressure on league leaders Chelsea at the top of the English soccer Premier League.

An evenly-balanced match at St James' Park was settled in stoppage time at the end of the first half when the Arsenal skipper reacted first to a loose bouncing ball and cracked home an unstoppable shot which gave goalkeeper Shay Given no chance.

Five minutes earlier Newcastle were unlucky not to earn a penalty when Ashley Cole handled in the area. Referee Steve Bennett waved play on.

Newcastle's best chance came early in the game when Shola Ameobia took advantage of a rare mistake by Sol Campbell and shot narrowly wide from 20m out.
The win takes the champions to 44 points from 20 matches, five fewer than Chelsea who lead with 49. Newcastle remain in 14th place having won just one of their last 10 league matches.

- REUTERS