It was a day littered with draws as Premiership sides ended their pre-season programmes with their final friendly matches. Highlights included a triumphant return to Eastlands for Bojinov and a last minute victory for Keegan’s men, while Hull struggled once again. God help ’em.
Here’s the notes and teams…
Man City 1 AC Milan 0
Valeri Bojinov made his first home appearance since his injury last August and capped his return with the winning goal.
Boijinov scored the goal in the 37th minute after an entertaining first half that had seen City keeper Hart in fine form to keep AC at bay. But the Bulgarian sent City in at half-time with the lead, slamming home a left-foot striker in off the woodwork. That was his third goal of the pre-season. Sturridge replaced the goalscorer at half-time as City saw out the rest of the game to seal the win.
Hughes had Thursday’s UEFA Cup tie in mind when it came to his selection. He rested Petrov altogether and Dunne to the bench. This gave him the opportunity to try out the Richards/Ben Haim partnership that will start the first two games of the season due to Dunne’s suspension.
The City boss will have some injury concerns after this match. Garrido appeared to injure his shoulder while Richards was clutching his knee when subbed on 66 minutes. Vassell also picked up a knock and limped off after 75 minutes.
They will all be a concern going into Thursday’s game but that game should give us strong indication on the side that Hughes will take to Villa next weekend. Bojinov’s goal here may well have sealed him a starting role and he could yet emerge as a decent mid-price fantasy purchase when City’s fixtures are right.
Man City vs AC Milan:
Hart, Richards (Hamann 66), Ball (Dunne 63), Onuoha, Ben Haim, Garrido (Etuhu 63), Fernandes, Johnson, Elano (Ireland 86), Vassell (Evans 75), Bojinov (Sturridge 45)
Newcastle 2 Valencia 1
Keegan’s side came from behind to snatch a victory in the final minutes as Milner smashed home a winner to follow on from Duff’s equaliser.
Newcastle went into the break trailing to Joaquin’s goal, despite having the better of things with Milner in particular, causing problems for the Spaniards.
Duff finally got Newcastle back on terms after 70 minutes, heading in a Guthrie corner. It was left to Milner to win it, drilling home after Taylor’s header had struck a post from a Gutierrez cross.
Keegan welcomed back Martins to his lineup. The Nigerian striker has played just 45 minutes pre-season after being handed compassionate leave. N’Zogbia took the left back berth from Enrique who dropped to the bench while Butt returned in central midfield which allowed Cacapa to shift to centre back. Bassong was rested to the bench along with Geremi and Smith.
Bassong should push for a start at Old Trafford next weekend after a strong pre-season while Geremi’s experience may also be called upon, although Guthrie should keep his place alongside Butt in central midfield. Much will depend on Keegan’s formation. He could go with two up top, with Owen possibly available to partner Martins. It seems unlikely however and tonight’s lineup could well be very close to the team that takes to the pitch against United.
Duff came in for more praise from Keegan. He has been played up front at times in pre-season and was once again employed in that role here. That, plus his form (this was his fourth goal of the summer) certainly makes him one to consider if you’re looking to gamble on a Newcastle player despite their horrible early fixtures.
Newcastle vs Valencia:
Given, Beye (Bassong 85), N’Zogbia, Cacapa (Edgar 85), Taylor, Butt, Guthrie, Milner, Gutierrez, Duff, Martins (Smith 60)
Everton 1 PSV 1
Everton finished a patchy pre-season with a draw against PSV – Arteta salvaging the game with a penalty late one.
The home side fell behind after 13 minutes courtesy of a fine strike from Amranat. Everton pushed and had a number of corners but aside from that, created very little.
With resources stretched, Moyes again blooded youngsters with Rodwell and Gosling again getting starts in midfield. As the game wore on, Everton brought on further new faces from their youth side and although Everton had a few sights of goal, an equaliser looked unlikely.
It arrived though, via an Arteta spot kick after Yobo was brought down. It’s interesting that Arteta got the kick over Yakubu in this instance, highlighting that he will perhaps be the designated penalty taker over the season which will increase his potential as a mid-price midfield option.
Looking at Everton’s lineup it appears that unless Moyes can seal a transfer in the next week, that Rodwell will start against Blackburn next weekend. The introduction Lescott at half-time is of interest as it saw Jagielka pushed into midfield and given some freedom to get forward with Rodwell still in the holding role. It could be that Moyes will opt for that next weekend, with Yobo starting alongside Lescott and Baines keeping his place at left-back. That would make Jagielka an interesting purchase and make Baines a viable option.
Everton vs PSV:
Howard, Neville (Wallace 65), Baines (Valente 65), Jagielka, Yobo, Rodwell (Jutkiewicz 65), Gosling (Lescott 45), Arteta, Pienaar (Baxter 65), Osman, Yakubu.
West Brom 1 Real Mallorca 1
A second half goal from Roman Bednar earned the Baggies a draw against their Spanish opponents.
Mallorca took the lead after 26 minutes, giving Scott Carson little chance with his finish. West Brom struggled throughout the first 45 minutes, which prompted manager Mowbray to make changes and switch to 4-4-2 in the second half. That saw Bednar introduced for Kim.
The Czech striker made an immediate impact, rounding the keeper to finish after Miller’s shot was spilled. The game ended with West Brom on top, with Bednar and Miller combining well as a pair.
Mowbray was without Koren and Moore for this one through injury but did have Miller back fit and he started as the lone striker as the Baggies went with 4-5-1 once again. That meant the Cech was employed in midfield yet again – even though he is classified as a defender across the fantasy games.
The Baggies boss confirmed after the game that he aimed to have some new faces in the squad within the next week but could make no guarantees. Meite remains a prime target and it is believed that the Bolton defender is currently in negotations with both Hull and the Baggies.
Clement will be a doubt for the trip to the Emirates after picking up a knee injury in this one. He was subbed after 13 minutes but Mowbray is hopeful that he’ll be fit for the Emirates.
West Brom vs Mallorca:
Carson (Kiely 45); Hoefkens, Barnett, Clement (Pele 13), Robinson; Brunt (Beattie 76), Morrison (Hodgkiss 83), Greening, Kim (Bednar 45), Cech (MacDonald 71); Miller (Dorrans 76)
Fulham 2 Torino 2
Hodgson’s side surrendered a two goal lead in their final pre-season game after first half goals from new signings Gera and Zamora gave them the advantage.
Zamora opened the scoring, firing home after good work by Seol on the right. The Korean also earned the assist for Fulham’s second goal, putting in a fine cross for Gera to finish calmly – his second goal of the pre-season.
The second half was far more open and Torino pegged Fulham back in the final ten minutes, scoring the equaliser with two minutes left on the clock.
Hodgson once more went with a 4-4-2 with Seol up front with Zamora for the second game running. His place must surely be under threat though, given that Andy Johnson was paraded before the crowd before the game. The rest of the Fulham lineup looks settled and I expect today’s team to be the eleven that takes the field at Hull with the possible exception of Seol.
Zamora and Gera, the scorers today have emerged as decent low-to-mid price signings. Zamora has notched 4 pre-season goals in the pre-season and has always looked a threat while Gera has contributed goals and assists over the summer. Pantsil meanwhile, appears to have nudged in front of new signing Stoor, for the right back spot.
Fulham vs Torino:
Schwarzer, Pantsil (Stoor 45), Konchesky, Hughes, Hangeland, Gera, Murphy, Bullard, Davies (Davis 75), Seol (Dempsey 75), Zamora.
Hull City 0 Osasuna 1
Hull once again struggled in front of goal as they drew a blank and slipped to defeat in their final pre-season game.
Osasuna took the lead on 20 minutes and were only really threatened by Geovanni who, once again, provided Hull’s chief attacking threat.
Hull boss Phil Brown is another Premiership boss who has employed 4-5-1 in pre-season and he opted for this again in this game. Geovanni was once again employed just off the front man Windass, with Folan rested.
You’ve got to fear from Hull going into the season proper. They’ve hardly sparkled in pre-season and carry a very limited goal threat. Brown desperately needs to bring in a striker, otherwise fantasy managers can confidently draft in opposition defenders knowing there’s a very strong chance of a clean sheet. That might well start with the Fulham defence next weekend.
Hull City vs Osasuna:
Myhill (Warner 61), Ricketts (France 79), Turner, Gardner (Cooper 87), Dawson (Doyle 79), Fagan (Garcia 61), Ashbee (Hughes 81), Boateng, Marney (Halmosi 54), Geovanni (Featherstone 70), Windass (Barmby 54)
West Ham 1 Villarreal 1
The Hammers took the lead as early as the first minute in this one but were pegged back by their Spanish opponents in a keenly contested friendly at Upton Park.
Carlton Cole got the West Ham goal, blasting home from close range after fine work by the lively Etherington. Villarreal got a deserved equaliser on 36 minutes, Santi Cazorla giving Green no chance from 8 yards.
Curbishley took a look at Ben Thatcher in this one, starting him at left back with Behrami shifted into midfield and Neill at right back. Cole partnered Ashton up front with Bellamy sidelined for another month.
West Ham were without McCartney for this game through illness and he’ll remain a doubt for the Wigan game which should see Behrami back at right back and Neill on the left. Davenport has seen a lot of action in pre-season and did well in this one. He looks set to start next weekend alongside Upson. Etherington has also had a good pre-season and should get a start on the left with Faubert on the right.
West Ham vs Villarreal:
Green, Neill, Upson, Davenport, Thatcher (Bowyer 46), Behrami, Noble, Parker, Etherington (Reid 62), Cole (Sears 74), Ashton (Faubert 46)
Blackburn Rovers 1 NAC Breda 1
Rovers came back from a goal down to grab a draw in their final pre-season game at a wet and windy Ewood.
Blackburn fell behind on the stroke of half-time and, despite having plenty of possession, failed to pose too much of a threat until the second half when they went up a gear. The equaliser came from Roberts, heading home a fine Treacy cross from the left and despite several further efforts, Rovers could break down the Dutch side for a winner.
Ince was without Pedersen who was carrying a hamstring strain. Emerton also had a knock while Santa Cruz was nursing his Achilles injury. It meant that the Rovers side had a patched-up look with Dunn and Reid taking the central midfield berths, Derbyshire starting on the right and 19-year-old Treacy on the left. Danny Simpson got a debut at right back after sealing a loan move from United.
Rovers will hope that their injuries will clear in time for the trip to Goodison next weekend with Pedersen, Emerton and Santa Cruz all likely starters if that’s the case.
Blackburn vs NAC Breda:
Robinson, Simpson, Ooijer, Samba, Warnock, Derbyshire (Judge 69), Dunn (Tugay 74), Reid, Treacy, Roberts (Doran 82), McCarthy (Fowler 69).
Arsenal 1 Sevilla 1
Arsenal claimed the silverware in the Amsterdam tournament thanks to a hard-fought draw with Sevilla.
Wenger fielded his young “Carling Cup” side for this one having played his senior eleven against Ajax. He saw his youngsters take the lead early on through a fine Vela individual effort but from that point on Sevilla gave the Gunners a stern test with Fabianski in superb form in goal.
Eventually he was beaten nine minutes from the end and although Sevilla struck a post after that, Arsenal clung on to retain the trophy.
Arsenal vs Sevilla:
Fabianski, J Hoyte, Senderos, Djourou (Denilson 68), Gibbs, Emmanuel-Thomas (Sagna 68), Ramsey, Randall, Wilshere (Walcott 79), Vela, Bendtner.