Post by Taxigirl on Jul 29, 2004 10:21:50 GMT
www.skysports.com/skysports/article/0,,7-1145269,00.html
Alan Smith's first goal for Manchester United could not stop the club falling to a 2-1 defeat against Celtic in America.
Martin O'Neill's side came out on top in the Champions World Series match in Philadelphia, but their match was marred by a nasty injury to Alan Thompson that will see him miss the start of the new season.
Chris Sutton gave the Scottish champions the lead from the penalty spot before former Leeds man Smith nodded home his first for his new side to equalise.
Substitute Craig Beattie popped up with the winner after capitalising on a mistake from Roy Keane to keep up his superb pre-season form.
The Bhoys had lost their previous two matches in the series against Chelsea and Liverpool, but took the lead at Lincoln Financial Field after just 11 minutes when Jonathan Spector brought down Stilian Petrov inside the box.
Sutton stepped up to take the kick and made no mistake in beating the re-called Tim Howard from 12 yards.
Sir Alex Ferguson had brought the American goalkeeper into the side as part of a stronger line-up after receiving heavy criticism for the young side he played against Bayern Munich.
Gary and Phil Neville returned to the action but O'Neill also named a strong side and it was the Scottish outfit who came out on top.
United levelled on 35 minutes when Smith headed in his first goal for The Red Devils since his controversial move from arch rivals Leeds.
Smith could have had another in the second half as he put in a lively display for his new side, while Eric Djemba-Djemba and Kieron Richardson also went close.
However, it was Celtic who took the lead on 71 minutes when Beattie added to his tally of goals in America.
The 20-year-old squeezed in a shot past Howard to add to his goals against Liverpool and Chelsea to show O'Neill he is in great touch.
Celtic hung on for a pleasing win but the injury to Thompson, who was stretchered off after a poor tackle from Chris Eagles, was a blow for O'Neill.
"Alan has a stud mark," said O'Neill. "Roddy Macdonald (the doctor) cleaned out the wound and he thinks it might take a little bit of time to heal up.
"It was a blow considering the season is only 10 days away and that appears to be too early for him."
Alan Smith's first goal for Manchester United could not stop the club falling to a 2-1 defeat against Celtic in America.
Martin O'Neill's side came out on top in the Champions World Series match in Philadelphia, but their match was marred by a nasty injury to Alan Thompson that will see him miss the start of the new season.
Chris Sutton gave the Scottish champions the lead from the penalty spot before former Leeds man Smith nodded home his first for his new side to equalise.
Substitute Craig Beattie popped up with the winner after capitalising on a mistake from Roy Keane to keep up his superb pre-season form.
The Bhoys had lost their previous two matches in the series against Chelsea and Liverpool, but took the lead at Lincoln Financial Field after just 11 minutes when Jonathan Spector brought down Stilian Petrov inside the box.
Sutton stepped up to take the kick and made no mistake in beating the re-called Tim Howard from 12 yards.
Sir Alex Ferguson had brought the American goalkeeper into the side as part of a stronger line-up after receiving heavy criticism for the young side he played against Bayern Munich.
Gary and Phil Neville returned to the action but O'Neill also named a strong side and it was the Scottish outfit who came out on top.
United levelled on 35 minutes when Smith headed in his first goal for The Red Devils since his controversial move from arch rivals Leeds.
Smith could have had another in the second half as he put in a lively display for his new side, while Eric Djemba-Djemba and Kieron Richardson also went close.
However, it was Celtic who took the lead on 71 minutes when Beattie added to his tally of goals in America.
The 20-year-old squeezed in a shot past Howard to add to his goals against Liverpool and Chelsea to show O'Neill he is in great touch.
Celtic hung on for a pleasing win but the injury to Thompson, who was stretchered off after a poor tackle from Chris Eagles, was a blow for O'Neill.
"Alan has a stud mark," said O'Neill. "Roddy Macdonald (the doctor) cleaned out the wound and he thinks it might take a little bit of time to heal up.
"It was a blow considering the season is only 10 days away and that appears to be too early for him."