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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Jonathan Wilson

Kevin Campbell, legend of the early Premier League, mixed goals with versatility

Arsenal's left-right, Kevin Campbell, Paul Davis, David Rocastle and Lee Dixon celebrate the League Championship win in May 1991.
Kevin Campbell (left) and Arsenal teammates Paul Davis, David Rocastle and Lee Dixon, celebrate winning the First Division in May 1991. Photograph: Bob Thomas Sports Photography/Getty Images

A throw-in from Lee Dixon. Alan Smith controls it at the top corner of the box and plays the ball back out to Dixon as Kevin Campbell, coming from wide, runs past him, drawing the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Paul Le Guen with him. The movement creates space for Dixon, who has time to measure his cross. Campbell continues his run far enough for Le Guen to stop, but not quite far enough for Alain Roche to pick him up. Dixon finds Campbell and, twisting, he guides a low header past the sprawl of Bernard Lama at the near post.

The first leg of the 1994 Cup Winners’ Cup semi-final at the Parc des Princes had finished 1-1. Campbell’s goal, after seven minutes, was the only one of the second leg. Arsenal, after what felt like an extremely characteristic performance, were through to the final, which they won – 1-0, obviously – thanks to a Smith goal against Parma, and they had their first European trophy since the Fairs Cup of 1970.

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