Gunners beaten but Eduardo impresses

ARSENAL new boy Eduardo da Silva impressed in last night’s friendly at Red Bull Salzburg but could not prevent the Gunners falling to a narrow defeat.

Vladimir Janocko’s winner 15 minutes from time ensured Arsene Wenger’s men ended their Austrian training camp on a losing note but the game was not without its positives.

Eduardo proved a constant thorn in the side of the home side’s defence and had numerous chances to mark his first full appearance for the club with a goal.

But ultimately it was Janocko’s strong shot from just outside the box which sunk a Gunners line-up which also included the likes of Alexander Hleb, Kolo Toure and new captain William Gallas.

Meanwhile, substitute goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini helped Chelsea maintain their unbeaten pre-season campaign as the Blues emerged with a 1-1 draw against Feyenoord.

The Italian keeper produced a fine performance — topped by a superb save from Roy Makaay’s penalty.

The Dutch side took the lead just before half-time thanks to a header from defender Kevin Hofland but Frank Lampard, captain in the absence of the injured John Terry, levelled in the 79th minute.

Former Cork City man Shane Long scored twice as Premier League Reading claimed an emphatic victory over Brentford at Griffin Park.

Nicky Shorey, Seol Ki-Hyeon, Simon Church and Andre Bikey also converted for the Royals.

Manchester United went down 3-2 to Port Vale at Vale Park after the Premiership champions returned to England from an unbeaten Far East tour.

Hibernian inflicted an emphatic defeat on Bolton in a lively game at Easter Road.

Steven Fletcher opened the scoring in the first half before David Murphy doubled the lead and Abdessalam Benjelloun scored a stunning long-range goal to wrap up the victory.

Welsh Premier League title holders The New Saints slipped out of the Champions League in Latvia, beaten on the away goals rule following a 4-4 aggregate draw against Ventspils.

Results: Champions League first qualifying round second leg: FC Pyunik 2 Derry City 0; Ventspils 2 TNS 1; Levadia Tallinn 0 Pobeda 0; Tampere United 2 SS Murata 0; Elfsborg 1 Linfield 0; HB Tórshavn 0 Hafnarfjordur 0, Zilina 5 Dudelange 4; KF Tirana 1 NK Domzale 2Friendlies: SV Salzburg 1 Arsenal 0; Feyenoord 1 Chelsea 1; Doncaster Rovers 1 Wolves 0; Port Vale 3 Man Utd 2; Brentford 1 Reading 6; Hibernian 3 Bolton 0; MK Dons 3 West Ham 2; Northampton 1 West Brom 5; Blackpool 1 Wigan Athletic 2.