• Pre-season friendlies

Sturridge brace sinks Rangers, Carroll on target for Reds

Daniel Sturridge has impressed during pre-season at Chelsea © PA Photos

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Crouch urges Modric to stay at Spurs
  
• News: Kuyt tells Carroll to stay calm
  
• News: Wenger sweats on Van Persie fitness
  

Daniel Sturridge's first-half double helped Chelsea to a comfortable 3-1 victory over Rangers in their friendly match at Ibrox.

Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic headed the Scottish champions into the lead after six minutes after being set up by Steven Naismith.

However, Sturridge - who spent the second half of last season on loan to Bolton - struck twice to give Chelsea an interval lead which they never looked like surrendering.

Substitute Florent Malouda, who had replaced Sturridge on the hour mark, headed in Chelsea's third in the 72nd minute to emphasise the gap in class between the two sides.

The scoreline could have been worse for the home side had substitute goalkeeper Neil Alexander, on for Allan McGregor at the interval, not saved Frank Lampard's penalty two minutes later.

Liverpool concluded their pre-season schedule with a victory and a clean sheet after overcoming Valencia at Anfield.

Andy Carroll netted his third goal of the summer by capitalising on a mistake by David Albelda in the sixth minute, the striker picking up the ball, hitting it against the post off goalkeeper Diego Alves and finishing at the second attempt.

The hosts then made it 2-0 in the final minute of normal time thanks to a goal which was announced as Dirk Kuyt's, even though replays suggested Sotirios Kyrgiakos had got the last touch.

Arsenal's woes continued as Robin van Persie appeared to pick up an injury in their 2-1 loss at Benfica. Van Persie scored the opener before being hurt in a challenge with Ezequiel Garay that saw the Dutchman withdrawn at half-time. Benfica turned the game on its head in the second half thanks to goals from Pablo Aimar and Nolito.

Luka Modric was given a rousing reception from Tottenham fans as Harry Redknapp's team wrapped up their friendly schedule with a 2-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao.

The introduction of Gareth Bale and five other substitutes at half-time buoyed the home side, who scored two goals in two minutes from Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe to seal victory.

David Goodwillie scored on his Blackburn debut as the Premier League side signed off their pre-season preparations with a comfortable 4-1 win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

The Scottish international had not even trained with his new colleagues following his move from Dundee United to Rovers on Wednesday.

Grant Hanley's own goal gave the SPL side the lead after 10 minutes, David Dunn immediately levelled from the penalty spot after Killie's Patrick Ada handled a cross and Jason Roberts gave the visitors the lead soon after. Roberts also converted a 31st-minute penalty after being fouled in the box.

Danny Graham grabbed his first goal for Swansea as Brendan Rodgers' side rounded off their pre-season games with victory over Real Betis at the Liberty Stadium.

The £3.5 million former Watford man performed a lovely turn from an Angel Rangel pass to loft the ball into the net in the 63rd minute and settle the contest.

Norwich completed their pre-season friendly schedule with a comfortable 3-0 win over Parma at Carrow Road.

A close-range effort from captain Grant Holt and a second half brace by winger Andrew Surman saw the Canaries warm up for next weekend's Premier League opener at Wigan with a confident display in front of a 13,000 crowd.

George Elokobi and Steven Fletcher scored in the space of five minutes midway through the second half to give Wolves a 2-0 win over Real Zaragoza at Molineux.

Sunderland were held to a goalless draw by Hibernian at Easter Road, while Newcastle's match against Fiorentina at St James' Park was abandoned by referee Mark Halsey in the 64th minute because of a waterlogged pitch - there had been no breakthrough at the time.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.