WINNING START FOR SVEN

Sven-Goran Eriksson made a winning start to his managerial career at Manchester City as they came from behind to defeat Doncaster 3-1 at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Rovers threatened to spoil the former England manager's first game in charge when Sean McDaid gave them the lead in the 16th minute but City hit back in the second half.

Bernardo Corradi levelled the scores with a powerful shot into the top-left corner before a fine individual effort from Micah Richards and Emile Mpenza's deflected strike ensured the Blues began their pre-season in style.

An injury to Denilson put a dampener on Arsenal's first game without Thierry Henry as they secured a 2-0 victory at Barnet.

The Brazilian midfielder was carried off on a stretcher with an ankle injury late on following a heavy tackle although the injury is not thought to be too serious.

Emmanuel Adebayor opened the scoring from Theo Walcott's 17th-minute cross and Nacer Barazite doubled the advantage with a ferocious strike from wide on the right after 66 minutes.

Liverpool secured a second successive pre-season victory as goals from Lee Peltier, Peter Crouch and Ray Putterill earned a 3-0 win over Crewe at Gresty Road.

There were no debuts for Fernando Torres, Yossi Benayoun and Ryan Babel but Ukrainian striker Andriy Voronin looked lively in his first appearance for the Reds.

Sylvain Distin, David Nugent, Sulley Muntari and Hermann Hreidarsson all made their Portsmouth debuts as Harry Redknapp's side eased to a 2-0 victory at Yeovil.

Lomana LuaLua reminded boss Harry Redknapp of his ability with a 20th-minute opener and trialist Giovanni did his chances of earning a permanent contract no harm when he completed the victory with a simple finish after 57 minutes.

Bolton beat Mexican side Chivas Guadalajara 2-0 in the Peace Cup in South Korea thanks to goals from Zoltan Harsanyi and Kevin Nolan.

After a goalless first half Slovakian striker Harsanyi collected a lay-off from Kevin Davies before beating two defenders and rounding the goalkeeper to open the scoring in the 48th minute.

The victory was sealed 29 minutes later when Nolan volleyed home from 25 yards for his second goal of the tournament.

Middlesbrough's pre-season preparations got off to the worst start as they were swept aside by Schalke 3-0 in Austria.

A Kevin Kuranyi backheel gave the Bundesliga side the lead before Gerald Asamoah made it two before half-time.

A stunning free-kick from Mizou Azaouagh left young keeper Ross Turnbull with no chance to tie things up.

Dean Ashton made his long-awaited West Ham return as the Hammers ran out 2-0 winners against Dagenham and Redbridge in former QPR goalkeeper Tony Roberts' testimonial.

Mark Noble opened the scoring with a stunning free-kick and a spectacular headed own goal gifted them a second.

James Vaughan celebrated his 19th birthday with a goal as Everton eased to a 2-0 win against a Northern Ireland XI.

Vaughan bundled home in the 27th minute before Kieran Agard kept his cool late on to double the lead.

Lukas Jutkiewicz's debut goal ensured David Moyes had double cause to celebrate as a Toffees XI overcame Bury 1-0 at Gigg Lane.

Captain Craig Gordon returned to first-team duty as Hearts were held to a 1-1 draw in their latest pre-season friendly against Rot-Weiss Essen.

Hearts reached half-time with a narrow lead thanks to Michal Pospisil's goal.

Gordon, who is reportedly wanted by Sunderland, played for the first 51 minutes before being one of four players replaced when opponents Rot-Weiss grabbed an equalising goal.

Hibernian turned on the style to crush First Division newcomers Stirling 5-0 at the Forthbank Stadium.

Abdessalam Benjelloun scored twice and a trialist, named as Tomas, stretched the visitors' advantage before half-time.

Guillaume Beuzelin put Hibernian four clear before Clayton Donaldson fired home his second goal in two games for the club.

Taken from=football365=