Sunday 2 August 2015 21:44, UK
Jay Rodriguez made a goalscoring return to St Mary’s as he snatched a late equaliser in Southampton's 1—1 pre-season friendly draw with Espanyol.
Rodriguez was starting at home for the first time since scoring twice in a 4-0 win against Newcastle United in March 2014.
Loan signing Steven Caulker was making his debut in the Southampton defence and it was the visitors who took an early lead.
Salva Sevilla found himself all alone in the box after Southampton had cleared an Espanyol corner and the midfielder drilled the ball across goalkeeper Kelvin Davis to put the La Liga side ahead after 10 minutes.
And it looked like that was how the game was going to finish until Rodriguez’s equaliser five minutes from time.
Espanyol lost the ball on halfway and the forward latched on to the loose ball in a flash before slamming home from 25 yards.
Meanwhile, West Ham slumped to a 2-1 defeat at hands of Bundesliga side Werder Bremen at Upton Park.
Mauro Zarate and Diafra Sakho started up front for the Hammers and it was the latter who gave them a 19th-minute lead, volleying home a cross from summer signing Dimitri Payet.
But just a minute later the visitors were back on level terms when Anthony Ujah’s speculative effort from 25 yards slipped under the grasp of West Ham goalkeeper Adrian.
And 11 minutes later Ujah netted what turned out to be the winner. The Nigeria international ghosted past James Tomkins before firing across Adrian and into the far corner.
Elsewhere, Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney turned out for former club Everton in the 2-1 defeat to Villarreal in Duncan Ferguson’s testimonial at Goodison Park.
Rooney and Toffees assistant manager Ferguson both started from the bench and could only look on as Villarreal took a first-half lead against a strong Everton starting XI.
A corner from the far side was flicked on in the 38th minute and Villarreal striker Gerard was on hand to rifle home the opening goal of the game.
Everton fell two behind just after the hour mark when teenager Matias Nahuel beat Seamus Coleman to a through ball before smashing past Tim Howard.
Rooney entered the fray for the final 15 minutes, replacing former United team-mate Tom Cleverley and coming on to a standing ovation from the Everton crowd.
Ferguson came on eight minutes later but it was youngster Ty Browning who pulled a goal back for the home side with an 87th-minute header.
