Liverpool enjoyed a 4-1 victory over fellow former European champions Steaua Bucharest at Anfield thanks to an early goal by England mid-fielder Joe Cole. Cristian Tanase equalised in the 13th minute but David Ngog scored twice and substitute Lucas hit the other to ensure manager Roy Hodgson’s decision to leave out Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard did not backfire.
“It’s important you make decisions and make them for the right reasons,” said Hodgson, who made a total of eight changes from the team. “I had no doubt that, given the fact we have so many players who play international football, this was the moment to give them a rest and allow them to prepare properly for Sunday’s game [against Manchester United].”
Man City triumphant
Roberto Mancini’s expensively-assembled Manchester City won 2-0 against Red Bull Salzburg. David Silva grabbed his first goal for Manchester City since his €30 million move from Valencia as Mancini’s team took the lead in Austria after just eight minutes.
The goal was set up by Brazilian striker Jo, who went on to score the second in the 63rd minute after Salzburg keeper Gerhard Tremmel failed to hold a 20-metre drive from Carlos Tevez. City’s Belgian defender Vincent Kompany said he knew Silva would quickly open his goal account.
“He is an amazing player and like every foreign player he needs time to settle in the Premier League,” said Kompany.”We’ve seen in the training sessions he’s an amazing player.”
Mighty Juventus held
Juventus were held to a 3-3 draw at home by an unfashionable Polish side Lech Poznan whose Latvian striker Artjoms Rudnevs grabbed all of his side’s three goals.
The Polish visitors were 2-0 ahead after 30 minutes thanks to Rudnevs. Juve centre-back Giorgio Chiellini pulled one back on the stroke of half-time and then levelled the score five minutes later.
Veteran skipper Alessandro Del Piero looked to have sealed Juventus’ comeback by making it 3-2 after 68 minutes with his 52nd career goal in European competition. But Poznan rallied to grab a point when Rudnevs completed his hat-trick in the last minute of the match. AFP
Published in The Express Tribune, September 18th, 2010.
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