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Benjani told to stay as Mancini eyes United

Benjani Mwaruwari has been told he still has a future at Manchester City after scoring for the first time in more than a year during the 1-0 FA Cup third round win away to Middlesbrough.

Victory extended new manager Roberto Mancini’s 100 percent unbeaten record since the Italian replaced the sacked Mark Hughes as City geared up for next week’s eagerly-awaited League Cup semi-final against Manchester United in impressive style at the Riverside here on Saturday.

Zimbabwe international Benjani made the most of a rare start with the only goal to see-off Championship side Middlesbrough as Mancini displayed the strength in depth at his disposal by making five changes and leaving more than 30 million pounds of talent on the bench to keep his side fresh for Wednesday’s first leg of the League Cup semi-final.

Asked immediately after the game if he was close to signing Inter Milan defender Ivan Cordoba, Mancini replied: “No, not for now.

“At the moment, what is important is this game and Manchester United.”

Benjani has been linked with a move away in the January transfer window after falling down the pecking order at Eastlands, especiallly as Mancini is expected to bolster his squad with at least two new signings this month.

But the 31-year-old provided a timely reminder of his predatory goal-scoring instincts with a first strike since he appeared on the scoresheet in the 1-1 draw against Fulham in the Premier League in December 2008.

The goal, carved out by midfielder Martin Petrov in first-half stoppage time, settled a contest fought-out in near blizzard conditions.

Mancini insisted the African could play a significant role in the second half of the season, with City aiming to make it to Wembley on two fronts.

The former Inter boss, whose job prospects beyond this season may hinge on ending the club’s 34-year wait for a major trophy, said: “Benjani came in and took his goal really well.

“He looked good throughout the game and I was pleased with his display. He’s shown me what he can do and that can only be good for the club and log may it continue.”

Mancini intends to watch Manchester United when City’s local rivals face Leeds United in the third round of the FA Cup at Old Trafford on Sunday.

City’s latest manager has won his three games in charge without conceding a goal, but knows he faces by far the sternest test of his short reign in the first-leg at Eastlands as injuries begin to hurt even a squad with his club’s strength in depth City.

After introducing Gareth Barry, Carlos Tevez and Craig Bellamy from the bench in the second-half against Middlesbrough, Mancini said: “We’ve got a big problem at the moment because we have a lot of players injured so I made changes today because I can’t play my players all the time.

“We’re pleased to get through this test because the FA Cup is an important competition for us and it’s something we want to pay our full attention to.”

Mancini hopes to have England midfielder Shaun-Wright Phillips in contention to face United after a four-game injury absence, but defender Micah Richards is unlikely to figure because of a thigh problem.

MIDDLESBROUGH, England (AFP)

Tags: 30 million, benjani mwaruwari, blizzard conditions, carlos tevez, craig bellamy, England, fulham, Gareth Barry, impressive style, instincts, ivan cordoba, Manchester, manchester city, manchester united, Mark Hughes, martin petrov, middlesbrough, Milan, new signings, pecking order, premier league, roberto mancini, scoresheet, Shaun Wright-Phillips, stoppage time, timely reminder, Wembley, Zimbabwe, zimbabwe international

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Wenger considers striker signing despite Arsenal romp

Arsene Wenger could sign a striker in the January transfer window despite Arsenal breaking the 50-goal mark for the season with a resounding 4-1 victory at lowly Portsmouth.

Eduardo, Samir Nasri, Aaron Ramsey and Alex Song all got on the scoresheet for the Gunners at Fratton Park on Wednesday to leave Arsenal within four points of leaders Chelsea with a game in hand.

Yet Wenger concedes he is limited in his striking options with Nicklas Bendtner and Robin van Persie injured and Theo Walcott struggling to reach a high level of fitness.

Out-of-favour AC Milan forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is a potential loan target for Wenger, who admits he is surprised that a team without so many attacking talents remain the Premier League’s leading scorers.

Wenger said: “I keep reading and people keep telling me we need to sign a striker but we have the best attack so I do not know.

“There is a confusing rationale in football and while we have problems up front if you look at the league nobody has scored more goals than us.

“We have players who know how to move the ball and get in dangerous positions but we are still in the market (to sign a striker).”

Even without van Persie, Bendtner, Walcott and captain Cesc Fabregas, the north London side were on fire against Portsmouth.

They cruised into a two-goal lead before the break with Eduardo’s free-kick deflecting off Younes Kaboul and France midfielder Nasri finishing a fine move with his first league goal since March.

Welsh midfielder Ramsey added a gloss to the score with a dipping left-footed strike after the break to cap an eye-catching display.

Fabregas will be back in two weeks however and Wenger dismissed suggestions Ramsey is ready to replace the Spaniard just yet.

Wenger added: “The only way to combat injuries is by playing young players like Ramsey who was very good against a Portsmouth team who made it difficult for us.

“I think Aaron can play right-back, left-wing, centre-midfield – he is an all round player, Cesc is a playmaker but what they both have is a personality on the pitch, the ability to get on the ball and make their presence known in the game.”

Song’s header completed the rout after Nadir Belhadj had grabbed a consolation but it was a grim day for the hosts as Pompey’s supporters finally began to turn on the club amid a cloud of financial uncertainty.

HM Revenue and Customs have issued a winding-up petition in regards to unpaid tax and key players will have to be sold to meet outstanding debts to former owner Sacha Gaydamak and Chelsea, Watford, Lens and Rennes over unpaid transfer fees.

Portsmouth fans chanted, “where has all our money gone?”, “sack the board” and jeered captain Aaron Mokoena to be sent off or substituted following an anonymous display by the South African.

Manager Avram Grant said: “I think the supporters are behind the team. When I came here I knew what the problems were on the pitch, off the pitch? I was not sure.

“The fans were here before any players, any manager and we will try to lift them with what we do on the pitch.”

PORTSMOUTH, England (AFP)

Tags: Aaron, ac milan, Alex Song, captain Aaron Mokoena, cesc fabregas, CHELSEA, Eduardo, England, four points, France, Fratton Park, free kick, goal mark, gunners, Jan Huntelaar, kaboul, league goal, Lens, Manager Avram, midfielder, Milan, Nicklas Bendtner, north London, Portsmouth, premier league, ramsey, Rennes, robin van persie, Samir Nasri, scoresheet, Spaniard, striker, target, theo walcott, Wenger

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Ramsey´s supershow piles pressure on Burley

Arsenal teenager Aaron Ramsey piled more pressure on Scotland coach George Burley as his virtuoso display inspired Wales to a 3-0 win over Scotland in Saturday’s friendly.

Ramsey, 18, played a key role in the first two Wales goals from David Edwards and Simon Church and then got on the scoresheet himself to cap a superb first half display at the Cardiff City Stadium.

This was the sort of eye-catching performance that persuaded Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger to pay Cardiff five million pounds to sign the midfielder in June 2008, even though he had made just a handful of appearances for the Welsh club.

He was far too good for Burley’s woeful Scots, who were completely out-classed. To make matters worse for Burley, who was handed a vote of confidence despite his failure to lead Scotland to the World Cup, he had to endure the indignity of listening to the Scottish fans calling for his sacking throughout the second half.

Burlet handed Celtic defender Danny Fox his debut, while James McFadden returned to the team and David Marshall started in goal in the absence of injured first choice Craig Gordon.

Birmingham forward McFadden threatened early on when he took Kenny Miller’s flick in stride and shot straight at Wayne Hennessey.

Miller went even closer with a powerful strike that flashed wide, but Wales took the lead in the 17th minute.

Ramsey showed great poise as he curled a cross towards Edwards and the midfielder timed his run perfectly to drive past Marshall.

The hosts pushed home their advantage in the 32nd minute as Ramsey continued to pull the strings. The teenager’s pass found Joe Ledley on the left and his cross was expertly flicked in by Church from close range.

Scotland were in disarray at the back and Ramsey exploited their fragility again three minutes later. His surging run took him past Stephen McManus and Darren Fletcher and opened up space to shoot beyond Marshall for the second goal of his brief international career.

It could have been worse for Scotland before half-time as Ched Evans saw his shot blocked by Marshall.

Furious Scotland fans made their feelings towards Burley known at half-time, but there was only a marginal improvement after the break.

Marshall was fortunate not to be sent off when he handled outside his penalty area, but referee Cyril Zimmermann let him off with a booking before Gareth Bale’s resulting free-kick was deflected wide.

Burley was the target for more verbal abuse from the Tartan Army in the closing stages but Scotland’s supporters were drifting towards the exits well before the end.

CARDIFF (AFP)

Tags: cardiff city, coach george, Craig Gordon, Danny Fox, darren fletcher, david edwards, David Marshall, george burley, hennessey, indignity, international career, James McFadden, kenny miller, s pass, scoresheet, scotland coach, scottish fans, vote of confidence, welsh club

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Marseille start lucky, but end with romp over Zurich

Marseille made the most of early fortune before romping to a 6-1 win over FC Zurich here on Tuesday that add hope to the French side’s dreams of qualifying from Champions League group stages.

Marseille started the match without injured Argentine international playmaker Lucho Gonzalez, prompting Didier Deschamps into a shake up that saw Hilton replace Taye Taiwo at left back and Baky Kone join Brandao and Mamadou Niang in a three-pronged attack.

That decision paid off handsomely, with Niang, Hilton and Brandao adding their names to a scoresheet that was loaded with goals in the latter stages.

However Marseille’s eventual dominance of their fourth encounter in Group C, with their final two games against Real Madrid and AC Milan still to come, was initially not all their own doing.

Marseille started with punch but when the opening goal came on three minutes the head of Zurich midfielder Silvan Aegerter turned the ball past Johnny Leoni in the visitors’ net.

Marseille continued to dominate the early stages and, again, another free kick from the left led to their second goal.

This time a more cohesive Zurich defence held their line firmly as Niang, Brandao and Kone all pushed towards goal.

But all three players appeared blatantly off-side when Fabrice Abriel’s free kick rose then dipped dangerously close to the Zurich net before beating the Zurich ‘keeper.

Marseille had two chances to pull further ahead, the first when Bruno Cheyrou’s angled shot, after some nice play by Abriel then Niang, was shot straight at Leoni.

On 25 minutes Brandao, unmarked barely 10 yards from the goal, then fired a first-time effort over the crossbar after Niang had provided the pass after pouncing on a poor clearance by the Zurich defence.

When Zurich reduced the deficit six minutes later it came without any external assistance.

Frenchman Alexandre Alphonse picked up a pass just outside the area, turned and held off defenders Stephane Mbia and Gabriel Heinze to beat Steve Mandanda with a great left-foot drive.

His goal had Deschamps up out of his seat, and gave the visitors a much needed zest that, for the remainder of the first half, had Marseille at sixes and sevens and edged them closer to scoring the equaliser.

Despite brief flashes of attacking play from Zurich, the second half seemed to be all about Marseille showing their first half advantage was no fluke.

A Heinze drive that flew just over the far top corner signalled their intentions early on, and soon the hosts were 3-1 up after Kone returned Niang’s pass and watched the Marseille striker pounce to beat Leoni from close range on 52 minutes.

Zurich had a convincing claim for a penalty waved away in the 65th minute, and their misfortune was compounded in the 80th minute when Hilton drove home their fourth goal after a loose ball fell to his feet inside the area.

Seven minutes later Cheyrou carried the ball from the right flank before unleashing a superb drive that had Leoni flapping at thin air and left the ball in the net.

At the death Brandao took their tally to six after latching on to a solid cross-goal Niang pass to beat Leoni from a yard out.

MARSEILLE, France (AFP)

Tags: AC, Alexandre Alphonse, Argentine, bruno cheyrou, champions league group, didier deschamps, external assistance, Fabrice Abriel, fc zurich, french side, gabriel heinze, Gonzalez, group stages, Johnny Leoni, latter stages, MADRID, mamadou niang, Marseille, mbia, Milan, playmaker, pronged attack, real madrid, scoresheet, silvan, stephane mbia, Steve Mandanda, Taiwo, ZURICH

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Valencia seals dramatic United fightback in Champions League

Antonio Valencia struck a dramatic stoppage time equaliser as Manchester United fought back from 3-1 deficit to secure a point that takes them through to the last 16 of the Champions League.

United’s 22-match unbeaten home record in the competition looked to be coming to an end after Vasili Berezutski made it 3-1 to the visitors shortly after half time.

But in a thrilling encounter, Sir Alex Ferguson’s battling side roared back with late goals from Paul Scholes and Valencia.

Despite the comeback, Ferguson will be livid with his defenders for allowing CSKA to score three times. They were gifted the lead when the impressive Alan Dzagoev pounced after 25 minutes following an error by Jonny Evans. Although Michael Owen levelled, Milos Krasic made it 2-1 after United’s makeshift defence was easily carved open.

United were denied a clear penalty when Darren Fletcher was tripped by Aleksei Berezutski before they were saved by Scholes and Valencia.

It was all change for United, last season’s runners-up showing six changes to the side that started the 2-0 Premier League victory over Blackburn last Saturday.

With new dad Wayne Rooney only making the bench after missing training on the eve of the game to be at the birth of his first child, Federico Macheda was given a rare chance to shine.

And the 19-year-old Italian teenager, making his first appearance on the Champions League stage, looked more comfortable than his more experienced strike partner at times.

Owen wasted two golden chances before finally getting his name on the scoresheet. Having been teed-up by Antonio Valencia in the 10th minute, the out-of-favour England man mis-kicked horribly in front of goal.

Then he spurned another opportunity in the 18th minute when he shot straight at the keeper when he should have done much better.

Macheda’s youth and enthusiasm almost earned United the breakthrough they were seeking when he burst into the box after a clever turn before firing narrowly wide in the 25th minute.

Yet two pieces of awful defending before half time left United staring at a surprise home defeat.

Dzagoev pounced after Jonny Evans, deputising alongside Wes Brown in the absence of first-choice centre-backs Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, failed to close down the Russian teenager following good play by Tomas Necid.

But the Russians’ lead lasted just four minutes, Owen smiling for the first time after marking his sixth start with his first Champions League goal for United after Nani had flicked Valencia’s cross into his path.

Yet two minutes later more woeful defending gifted CSKA the lead for the second time, Krasic being allowed to restore the visitors’ advantage after the home defence stood like statues.

United then found themselves 3-1 behind less than two minutes into the second half, the unmarked Vasili Berezutski allowed to bury the ball past van der Sar following Dzagoev’s inswinging free kick.

The few hundred supporters who had travelled from Moscow could not believe what they were seeing. Neither could 73,000 United fans.

Their mood darkened further in the 49th minute when United were denied a clear penalty.

Fletcher, who had gone close to scoring when the scores were goalless, was tripped by Berezutski. But instead of pointing to the penalty spot, Portuguese referee Olegario Benquerenca booked midfielder Fletcher for diving.

With his side staring defeat in the face, Ferguson sent on Rooney.

Fletcher had a free-kick well saved by Igor Akinfeev, Rooney was also denied by the Russian keeper while Macheda hit the woodwork.

Then Scholes reduced the deficit by heading home from the edge of the six yard area before Equador international Valenica saved his side in dramatic circumstances.

MANCHESTER (AFP)

Tags: Alan Dzagoev, alex ferguson, Antonio Valencia, CSKA, darren fletcher, equaliser, federico macheda, first appearance, Fletcher, igor akinfeev, last saturday, league stage, league victory, Manchester, manchester united, michael owen, Milos Krasic, Moscow, paul scholes, pounced, premier league, rare chance, scoresheet, sir alex ferguson, stoppage time, Tomas Necid, wayne rooney, wes brown

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Saha´s double gets Everton back on track

Everton forward Louis Saha made up for his Europa League red card as the French star’s double-strike inspired a 3-0 win over Blackburn on Sunday in their Premier League match.

Saha was harshly sent off in the final moments of his side’s 4-0 Europa League win over AEK Athens on Thursday after an off the ball clash with defender Juanfran.

But the former Manchester United player took out his frustrations on Blackburn to continue his prolific start to the campaign and lift Everton out of the relegation zone.

Nigerian defender Joseph Yobo was also on the scoresheet at Goodison Park as Everton won for just the second time in the Premier League this season.

Everton boss David Moyes made three changes from the side that beat AEK Athens, with Dutch defender John Heitinga making his home debut.

Russian winger Diniyar Bilyaletdinov was out with a groin strain while Jo and Dan Gosling dropped to the bench to allow Saha and Leon Osman into the starting line-up.

This has been Everton’s worse start to a league season since 2004 and they set about correcting that unwanted statistic.

Leon Osman saw a shot on the turn deflected just wide, before Steven Pienaar’s cross was headed onto the roof of the net by Saha.

It didn’t take Saha long to make amends as he struck in the 22nd minute.

Leighton Baines fired in a free-kick from the left and Saha arrived at the near post to turn the ball past Paul Robinson for his fifth goal of the season.

The hosts almost scored again a minute before the break when Osman’s glancing header from Saha’s cross went wide.

Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard saved smartly from El-Hadji Diouf’s right-footed effort in the 51st minute but three minutes later Everton had their second goal.

Marouane Fellaini was the creator, crossing from the right and teeing up Louis Saha to head home his second goal.

Saha turned the provider in the 58th minute when he headed Baines’s cross at goal. Robinson was able to parry it away but the ball only made it as far as Yobo, who tapped home to put the result beyond doubt.

Moyes allowed Saha to take a standing ovation from the crowd as he was replaced by Jo with 18 minutes to play.

LIVERPOOL (AFP)

Tags: aek athens, athens, David Moyes, el hadji diouf, fifth goal, free kick, french star, Goodison Park, groin strain, home debut, john heitinga, joseph yobo, juanfran, leighton baines, Liverpool, louis saha, Manchester, Osman, paul robinson, relegation zone, scoresheet, steven pienaar, tim howard

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Last-minute Tunisia grab draw in Nigeria

Nigeria’s World Cup quest suffered a setback on Sunday when Tunisia grabbed a last-minute 2-2 draw at the Abuja National Stadium.

The Super Eagles were on course for a much-needed victory in the 80th minute when Esperance striker Michael Eneramo scored Nigeria’s second goal only for his Tunisian club mate, Oussama Darragi, to snatch a last-minute equaliser for the north Africans.

Tunisia remain top of Group Two with eight points from four matches, two points clear of second-placed Nigeria with two rounds of matches to be played. Mozambique climbed to third place after they pipped Kenya 1-0 in Maputo.

Only the group winners will qualify for the World Cup finals.

Russia-based Osaze Odemwingie opened the scoring after 23 minutes when he collected a pass from the lively Ikechukwu Uche before darting past two Tunisian defenders and thundering home from inside the box into the roof of the net.

Tunisia drew level two minutes later when Sliti Nabil also produced a rocket of a shot from outside the box to beat diving goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama.

From the kick-off, the home team took the attacking initiative with Uche and Odemwingie threatening the Tunisian goal.

A combination between both strikers allowed Odemwingie to take a crack at goal, which missed the target.

Tunisia were closest to going ahead in the 20th minute when Lens striker Issam Jemaa rounded Enyeama, but his final effort hit the side netting, much to the relief of the 60,000 fans.

The Carthage Eagles created several more chances.

Enyeama saved from Ben Saada after 36 minutes and Saada again came close to getting his name on the scoresheet when his free-kick from the edge of the box a minute later was off target.

Nigeria continued to attack on the resumption of the second half, but looked increasingly suspect when the Tunisians attacked in numbers.

Esperance striker Eneramo replaced Seyi Olofinjana in the Super Eagles and within a minute of his entrance saw his header miss the target by inches.

At the other end, Enyeama saved from the ever-dangerous Jemaa, while a minute later, Nigeria had to thank the woodwork to save them from a misdirected header by Adeleye.

Nigeria fought back and regained the lead in the 80th minute when Eneramo stabbed home after great attacking play that involved John Mikel Obi and Obinna Nsofor.

However, another Esperance striker Darragi ensured there will be no victory party in Abuja with a last-ditch equaliser.

ABUJA, Nigeria (AFP)

Tags: abuja, abuja national stadium, Ben Saada, Carthage, club mate, equaliser, final effort, free kick, group winners, ikechukwu uche, issam, john mikel obi, kenya, Maputo, Michael Eneramo, Mozambique, Nabil, nigeria, north africans, olofinjana, osaze odemwingie, resumption, russia, saada, scoresheet, strikers, target, Tunisia, tunisian club, Vincent, vincent enyeama, world cup finals

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Antonio Valencia has plenty to prove at ManUtd

As if joining Manchester United as Cristiano Ronaldo’s replacement wasn’t enough of a challenge for Antonio Valencia, the Ecuador winger must also live up to his billing as the figurehead of the Premier League’s Latin invasion.

When Ronaldo moved to Real Madrid for a world record 80 million pounds in June, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was quick to spend 17 million pounds of that fee on luring Valencia from Wigan.

Valencia, 23, first caught Ferguson’s eye during a 20-minute cameo for Wigan against United in 2006.

That substitute appearance made Ferguson aware of how Valencia’s dynamic runs and incisive crosses could hurt opponents and he regularly dispatched scouts to check on his progess over the next two years.

By the time it became obvious that Ronaldo was destined to leave this close-season, Ferguson had already settled on Valencia as his replacement.

“Antonio is a player we have admired for some time now, having spent the last two years in the Premier League with Wigan,” Ferguson said. “I am sure his pace and ability will make a significant contribution to our team.”

One area in which Valencia may struggle to emulate Ronaldo is on the scoresheet. While the Portugal star scored 71 goals in his last two seasons with United, Valencia only found the net seven times in 89 appearances for Wigan.

However, the Ecuadorian opened his United account on his debut in a pre-season friendly against Boca Juniors and Ferguson hopes to get his new signing into areas where he can score more often.

“We were looking at his record and it?s not a good one in terms of goals,” Ferguson said. “But we can assess individual parts of his game, ie, his athleticism, his power and the power of his shot, and we have to think: ‘Why hasn’t he scored more goals?’ And maybe he will score more goals with us.”

The Valencia deal confirmed the rise of a group of players who have had to fight harder than most for their place among English football’s elite.

While Brazil and Argentina internationals will always be high on any top club’s wanted list, it is only in the last two seasons that players from less glamourous Latin countries like Ecuador, Honduras and Paraguay have started to make their presence felt in the Premier League.

Valencia was born deep in the Ecuadorian jungle in Lago Agrio and didn’t kick a ball until he was 10. That didn’t stop him becoming Ecuador’s most expensive player and several of his compatriots are ready to follow in his footsteps in the Premier League.

At Birmingham, there are three Ecuador internationals in Alex McLeish’s squad, with Christian Benitez, a club record eight million pounds signing, expected to score the goals that secure survival.

Benitez arrives with a reputation as a predatory goalscorer after scoring 10 times in 17 appearances for his country, while his veteran Ecuador team-mates Giovanny Espinoza and Ulises De la Cruz add experience to McLeish’s defence.

The man mostly responsible for triggering the deluge of Latin talent in England is Steve Bruce.

During his spell at Wigan, Bruce – now in charge at Sunderland – became frustrated by his inability to persuade players to join his club so he turned his attention to an untapped market.

Using scouts with expert knowledge of Latin America’s lower-profile countries, Bruce was able to sign Valencia and Wilson Palacios, who both became key members of his team before leaving for big fees.

He also signed Maynor Figueroa, a Honduras defender with 45 caps who has proved a resounding success, while Colombian forward Hugo Rodallega has shown flashes of potential.

Bruce continues to mine the Latin market for bargains and snapped up Paulo Da Silva, an experienced Paraguay defender, just weeks after arriving at Sunderland.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: alex ferguson, athleticism, boca juniors, cameo, cristiano ronaldo, ecuadorian, english football, figurehead, internationals, latin invasion, manchester united, progess, real madrid, ronaldo, scoresheet, seven times, sir alex ferguson, Wigan, winger, world record

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Giggs, Owen star as Man Utd rout Hangzhou

A brace from Michael Owen and a hat-trick from veteran Ryan Giggs helped fire Manchester United to a thumping 8-2 win over Hangzhou Greentown Sunday.

The former Newcastle and England striker, who moved to Old Trafford on a free transfer earlier this month, scored twice in the first half to continue his bright start at his new club.

Further goals from the lively Zoran Tosic and Dimitar Berbatov underlined United’s dominance as they ran the home side ragged in the first 45 minutes.

United scored four more goals in the second half, including two by Ryan Giggs, as Hangzhou failed to live with their illustrious visitors in a half-full stadium.

United enjoyed the bulk of possession in the early minutes but a combination of poor finishing by Berbatov and Paul Scholes and the offside flag denied them early reward.

On the rare occasions Hangzhou came forward, they tested United’s strong backline, featuring Rio Ferdinand, Jonny Evans, Patrice Evra and Fabio da Silva.

But on 23 minutes United made their dominance count when Owen, 29, scored from close range following a cross from Nani, seeking to cement his place on the wing after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid.

Berbatov volleyed in from close range after another Nani cross after half an hour and Tosic lashed home into the far corner to make it 3-0 two minutes later.

On 39 minutes Owen, who also netted two goals earlier in the tour, chested the ball down just inside the area and volleyed in after a clever layoff from Berbatov.

Wayne Rooney replaced Owen for the second half and Nani got himself on the scoresheet after just four minutes when he beat Han Feng after a backheel from Berbatov.

Ryan Giggs, who was given a rousing reception when he came on as a substitute, made it 6-0 on 62 minutes and scored again eight minutes later.

Hangzhou clawed one back when Wang Hongyou headed in from a corner on 77 minutes.

Giggs completed his hat-trick on 88 minutes to make it 8-1 but there was still time for another goal from Hangzhou, scored by Valdo.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has used the tour to test different permutations in attack as he works out his best striking options, which also include teenaged Federico Macheda.

Ferguson, who handed Owen the legendary number seven shirt worn by greats such as Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Ronaldo, has backed Owen to score 15 goals in the coming season if the injury-prone player manages 25 games.

United’s win in the eastern city of Hangzhou comes after two wins on the Malaysian leg of their tour and a win in South Korea as they build towards a bid for a record fourth consecutive Premier League crown.

HANGZHOU, China (AFP)

Tags: 88 minutes, backline, berbatov, China, David Beckham, England, eric cantona, Fabio da, far corner, Ferguson, hangzhou, illustrious visitors, MADRID, michael owen, nani, NEWCASTLE, old trafford, patrice evra, paul scholes, rare occasions, real madrid, ronaldo, rousing reception, ryan giggs, scoresheet, south korea, Tosic, wayne rooney

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Torres hat-trick as Spain rout New Zealand

RUSTENBURG, South Africa (AFP) – Fernando Torres bagged a first-half hat-trick as European champions Spain crushed New Zealand 5-0 to open their Confederations Cup campaign in emphatic style on Sunday.

The Group A victory, their 13th consecutive win, extended their unbeaten run to 33 games as they look to overtake Brazil’s world record 35 matches without defeat between 1993 and 1996.

Yet despite Spain being the world’s number one ranked team and packed with star names, the Royal Bafokeng Stadium here was half-empty, something that will worry FIFA with the World Cup in South Africa less than a year away.

The match was always going to be a David versus Goliath battle and it was all Spain, with Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas and Valencia’s David Villa also getting on the scoresheet.

They opened their account after six minutes when Fabregas slotted the ball to Torres on the edge of the box and he coolly curled his shot into the top right-hand corner.

It was 2-0 eight minutes later after Villa cut the ball back for Torres, who side-footed it past flailing goalkeeper Glen Moss.

The Liverpool striker collected his hat-trick inside 17 minutes as the one-sided game threatened to become an embarrassing rout.

Villarreal’s Joan Capdevila crossed from the left and Torres out-jumped the defence to powerfully head the ball home for his 22nd international goal.

It was the second hat-trick for his country, the other coming against San Marino in qualifying for the 2006 World Cup.

New Zealand’s confidence was shattered as their defence, missing injured Blackburn star Ryan Nelsen, was run ragged, erasing any faint hopes they had after scoring three goals against Italy in a 4-3 warm-up match defeat last week.

With Spain keeping possession and pressing forward at every opportunity, Fabregas got their fourth on 24 minutes with a simple tap-in after Capdevila squared the ball into his path.

The only other time the two teams have met was at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 1997 when Spain won 13-0 and All Whites coach Ricki Herbert looked a worried man in the dugout with another double figure demolition appearing possible.

He took off striker Jeremy Brockie, replacing him with Jeremy Christie to shore up the defence, and the tactic temporarily worked, with the score remaining the same until the half-time whistle.

But it didn’t stay that way for long with Villa scoring the fifth just three minutes after the restart when a comical miskick from defender Andy Boyens gifted the Valencia striker a clear sight of goal that he ruthlessly exploited.

It was his 29th international strike, putting him alongside Hierro and behind only Raul as Spain’s leading scorer of all time.

Torres was substituted with 20 minutes left as Spain took their foot off the gas, conscious that they have another game on Tuesday.

With hosts South Africa drawing 0-0 with Iraq, Spain, who have not lost since November 2006, top Group A with three points.

They next meet Iraq in Bloemfontein while New Zealand will look to salvage some pride against South Africa on the same day in Rustenburg.

The top two from the group qualify for the semi-finals.

Tags: Andy Boyens, bafokeng, Bafokeng Stadium, Bloemfontein, brazil, cesc fabregas, confederations cup, cup campaign, David, DAVID VILLA, european champions, fabregas, Fernando Torres, fifa u 17 world cup, Glen Moss, goliath battle, hat trick, international goal, Iraq, Italy, Jeremy Brockie, Jeremy Christie, Joan Capdevila, Liverpool, New Zealand, raul, Ricki Herbert, rout, royal bafokeng stadium, rustenburg south africa, ryan nelsen, san marino, scoresheet, sided game, six minutes, South Africa, Spain, star names, Valencia, World Cup

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