Friendlies roundup: Sanogo surprises as big guns go goal crazy
The pre-season schedule is well and truly underway and it seems the Premier League’s elite are limbering up for the top-flight’s kick off quite nicely if their latest results are anything to go by.
Here’s a round up:
Arsenal 5 – Benfica 1
Two of Arsenal’s supposed supporting cast for the coming season went a long way to pushing for a more mainline role for the Gunners this term, as Arsene Wenger’s side easily brushed Portuguese giants Benfica aside.
Yaya Sonogo bagged himself four goals, having failed to find the net once last season, while Joel Campbell notched the other as the French manager started with marquee summer singing, Alexis Sanchez, on the bench
Tottenham 6 – Celtic 1
The other half of north London refused to be outdone when they took to the field in Helsinki, smashing six past a Celtic side that are enduring a tough time under new manager Ronny Deila.
Mauricio Pochettino would have been encouraged that all of his strikers found the back of the net, while the attacking midfield trio of Erik Lamela, Lewis Holtby and Christian Eriksen all got in on the act too.
Real Madrid 1 – Man United 3
Ashley Young is being primed for a wing-back role at Old Trafford this season and looks to be settling well into his more defensive position if early signs are anything to go by.
The former Aston Villa man bagged himself a brace from the left in Manchester United’s victory over the Champions League holders, for whom Gareth Bale scored from the spot.
Liverpool 2 – AC Milan 0
Brendan Rodgers will have an early chance to cross swords with the Dutchman as his victory over AC Milan earned him a spot in the International Champions Cup final against United.
Suso and Joe Allen scored the goals but it was perhaps a rare miss from the penalty spot for Rickie Lambert that was the biggest talking point of the match.
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