Manchester City’s Euro 2012 stars were given a testing return to club action as Oldham Athletic beat the Premier League champions 2-1 at Boundary Park.
GettyImagesSamir Nasri was one of Man City’s Euro 2012 stars to be given a run out at Boundary Park
While the majority of their first-team colleagues concluded a tour of the Far East on Monday, England trio Joe Hart, Joleon Lescott and James Milner enjoyed their first close-season outings alongside France pair Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri.
Nigel de Jong took the armband and made his second appearance in four days having started Saturday’s 2-1 reserve win at Stockport, while the rest of City’s line-up was comprised of academy products and Eastlands outcast Roque Santa Cruz – scorer of his side’s equaliser after Robbie Simpson gave the Latics an early advantage.
Having spent the majority of the contest firmly on the back foot, Paul Dickov’s League One outfit snatched victory in stoppage time as summer recruit Jonathan Grounds rifled home from Connor Hughes’ left-wing corner.
Norwich claimed a creditable 1-1 draw with Dutch champions Ajax at Carrow Road. The Canaries took the lead in the seventh minute when Anthony Pilkington superbly curled a free-kick into the top corner after Joel Veltman had hauled down James Vaughan just outside the area.
But Ajax levelled on the half-hour when Lasse Schone’s 25-yard strike rocketed past goalkeeper John Ruddy, while Ryan Bennett had to be alert to clear Jody Lukoki’s goalbound effort in the best chance of the second half.
Robert Snodgrass made his Norwich debut following his move from Leeds for an undisclosed fee last week after coming off the bench to rapturous applause in the 69th minute.
QPR were comfortable 3-0 victors at Wycombe, with Jamie Mackie, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Nedum Onuoha on-target on a night where injury-prone Kieron Dyer made his return from nearly 12 months on the sidelines.
Mackie opened the scoring after collecting the ball from Adel Taarabt before driving into the area and finishing with aplomb and Wright-Phillips doubled their advantage by rounding the keeper and slotting into an empty net.
A corner from Dyer, who came on in the 73rd minute for his first run-out after breaking his foot against Bolton last year, allowed Onuoha to head home and ensure a routine win.
West Brom also eased to victory, with Saido Berahino’s brace inspiring a 4-1 win at Stockport. After deservedly taking the lead when Sam Mantom slotted past County keeper Ian Ormson, Berahino doubled the Baggies’ lead with a fine strike after a clever one-two with Scott Allan.
County skipper Danny O’Donnell narrowed the deficit after the interval by flicking home at the back post but Berahino restored the two-goal cushion with a tap-in after good work from George Thorne, who then sealed a comprehensive win by firing home from the edge of the box.
