Chelsea late show denies Royals

01 August 2009 18:27
A late comeback from Chelsea saw Carlo Ancelotti's Barclays Premier League side secure a 2-2 friendly draw at Reading. A strong Chelsea team, which included the likes of Petr Cech, Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka, were behind at the break following Jimmy Kebe's strike and Scott Davies' free-kick. Chelsea were a constant threat and the Reading defence had done well to keep the Blues at bay, but Salomon Kalou slotted home in the final minute and Reading captain Alex Pearce then turned Florent Malouda's cross into his own net. Kolo Toure hobbled out of his Manchester City debut after an hour as Mark Hughes' side played out an entertaining 1-1 draw at Barnsley. City enjoyed long periods of dominance but substitute Daniel Bogdanovic was allowed room chase down a long ball and fire past Shay Given with seven minutes remaining, before Martin Petrov grabbed an 88th minute equaliser. Stoke were denied their first pre-season victory by a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw at Derby. Liam Lawrence and Stephen Pearson traded goals before Ricardo Fuller restored the Potters lead but Arnaud Mendy snatched a draw for the Championship side. Blackburn were also held 2-2, as Sheffield Wednesday fought back from two goals down at Hillsborough. Ryan Nelsen and Jason Roberts fired Rovers into what looked to be a comfortable lead after just 21 minutes but goals from Akpo Sodje and Marcus Tudgay drew Wednesday level. Wigan's preparations for the new Premier League season suffered a setback at Carrow Road as they lost 3-2 at League One Norwich - after twice being ahead. Nottingham Forest beat Birmingham 2-1. David McGoldrick put the hosts ahead four minutes before the break and Robert Earnshaw doubled their lead in the 82nd minute. Lee Carsley pulled one back for Birmingham four minutes from time. Celtic warmed up for the second leg of their Champions League qualifier against Dinamo Moscow in Russia on Wednesday in disappointing fashion as they slumped to a 2-1 friendly defeat against Sunderland. Goals either side of the break from Kieran Richardson and Kenwyne Jones gave the visitors a well-deserved lead until Hoops midfielder Marc Crosas pulled a goal back. Goals from Mike Grella and Andy Robinson gave Leeds a 2-1 win over Premier League new boys Burnley with home debutant David Edgar grabbing the Clarets' goal.

Source: Eurosport