Thursday 4 August 2016 08:31, UK
There was a morale-boosting win for managerless Hull City and draws for Bournemouth, Middlesbrough and Southampton in pre-season friendly action on Wednesday night.
Bournemouth drew 1-1 with La Liga side Valencia in their final pre-season encounter before the start of the new Premier League campaign
The visitors took the lead six minutes before half-time through Argentina international midfielder Enzi Perez's strike at the Vitality Stadium.
However, Eddie Howe's side will go into that season opener at home to Manchester United in good heart after striker Benik Afobe levelled matters just past the hour-mark.
Meanwhile, the Cherries boss will also have been pleased with the display of recent new signing from Liverpool, left-back Brad Smith, who turned in a man-of-the-match display on the South Coast.
Hull warmed up for the new season by beating Caykur Rizespor 3-1 in Kufstein on Wednesday.
The Tigers, who had key duo Tom Huddlestone and Jake Livermore back after injuries, secured victory thanks to two goals from frontman Abel Hernandez.
And there was also an eye-catching strike by Scotland winger Robert Snodgrass to send Hull's fans home from Austria with something to cheer about.
Elsewhere on Wednesday evening, Middlesbrough earned a creditable goalless draw with Serie A side Udinese at the Dacia Arena.
The highlight for Boro's travelling supporters was the debut of new goalkeeper Brad Guzan, who took over from Tomas Mejias at half-time, with the USA international producing a confident performance between the sticks for Aitor Karanka's team.
Finally, Southampton were held 1-1 by Espanyol at St Mary's in their penultimate pre-season fixture before the new Premier League season.
The Saints broke the deadlock just past the half-hour mark through Oriol Romeu's strike, but Claude Puel's men were denied a win when Ecuador international forward Felipe Caicedo converted a 69th-minute penalty.
