Arsenal defender Kyle Bartley returns to Rangers on loan

Kyle Bartley scored one goal in five SPL starts for Rangers last season

• News: Bougherra heading for Qatar after Rangers agree fee

Rangers have announced that Arsenal defender Kyle Bartley has re-joined the SPL champions on loan.

Bartley, 20, spent the second half of last campaign at Ibrox and he made five SPL starts for Rangers, scoring once, before suffering a knee injury.

The centre-back signed a new contract with Arsenal on Wednesday and appeared for the club during their recent Emirates Cup tournament, netting an own goal.

Gers boss Ally McCoist told the club’s official website: “I’m pleased that we are getting Kyle back. He had good experience with us last season so he will find it easy to fit back in with the squad again.

“He is a good young player with a big future in the game so I’m delighted to get him back in. I have to thank Arsenal for letting us have him and I’m sure he will do very well.

“We kept in contact with them over the summer and I knew that they wanted to use Kyle in the Emirates Cup at the weekend. However, we have managed to do a deal now and he will be a good addition to our squad.”

Championship round-up: Heartbreak for Chris Hughton and Birmingham City at Derby, Leicester prove th

Nigel Clough saw his Derby side turn the game on its head after falling behind early on

Chris Hughton’s first game in charge of Birmingham City following a summer of upheaval ended in disappointment as Derby County came from behind to win 2-1 at Pride Park.

One of the few Birmingham players to remain from last season, Curtis Davies, hammered a header past Frank Fielding to put the visitors ahead on 18 minutes – but another centre half, Rams’ new signing Jason Shackell, arrowed a fine header into the corner eight minutes later to level the scores.

And just before half-time Nigel Clough’s men turned the game around, as Steve Davies arrowed a shot into the roof of the net from just outside the 18-yard box. Birmingham had the better of the second period but lacked a cutting edge, as was the case so often last season in the Premier League.

Sven-Goran Eriksson’s big-spending Leicester got their much-fancied bid for promotion from the Championship off to a winning start as they triumphed 1-0 over local rivals Coventry in an eventful M69 derby. Right-back Lee Peltier, Eriksson’s first of 10 signings this summer, grabbed the vital breakthrough in the 52nd minute as he nodded home an inch-perfect cross from Richie Wellens.

The encounter was shaped by the first-half dismissals of Darius Vassell and Carl Baker – one apiece for both sides – for reckless challenges which left referee Darren Deadman no option but to brandish red twice. Nevertheless, for Leicester – who also hit the post through David Nugent – it was a winning start to a campaign which promises plenty having been bankrolled heavily over the summer by Thai-based Asia Football Investments consortium, fronted by Vichai and Aiyawatt Raksriaksorn.

The Steve McClaren era at Nottingham Forest is off to a stuttering start after Barnsley earned a 0-0 draw at the City Ground. Lewis McGugan wasted the hosts’ best chance, somehow contriving to miss from a couple of yards out – but Forest were fortunate to escape with a draw in the end, as Craig Davies also blew a simple chance from six yards.

Will Buckley scored twice in the final ten minutes to give Brighton a 2-1 win over Doncaster – and a fairytale start to life at their new Amex Stadium.

After Gus Poyet had been sent to the stands for remonstrating with the referee over his failure to award a penalty, Billy Sharp ripped up Brighton’s script by putting Doncaster ahead – and scoring the first league goal at the new ground – after 40 minutes, bundling over the line from close range. But just when it seemed Poyet’s side were set to taste defeat, Buckley came to the rescue with a long-range effort to equalise, then sent the home fans into raptures with 98 minutes on the clock by making the most of a fine ball from Craig Noone.

Ipswich came storming out of the blocks with a thumping 3-0 win over a lacklustre Bristol City at Ashton Gate. Michael Chopra put Ipswich into the lead after 13 minutes, producing an inventive finish to lob the ball over the onrushing David James after latching onto a through-ball. The Tractor Boys’ second came against the run of play five minutes after the break, as Jay Emmanuel-Thomas’ fine thirty-yard pass was rifled past the goalkeeper by Lee Martin.

And Chopra put the game to bed after 60 minutes, dispossessing an indecisive David James before slotting in the easiest goal he will ever score.

Sven-Goran Eriksson saw his side carve out a tough victory at Coventry

New signing Keath Treacy inspired Burnley to earn a dramatic 2-2 draw at home to Watford. The Hornets were the division’s top away scorers last season, and they continued their habit of scoring on the road on the stroke of half-time through Craig Forsyth, who converted Marvin Sordell’s cross. Mark Yeates looked to have confirmed a great start for Sean Dyche as Watford boss on 70 minutes, taking advantage of defensive disarray to double the lead.

But Treacy had other ideas – first setting up Charlie Austin to half the deficit, then coming in at the far post to level the scores himself on 84 minutes.

Luke Varney hit the back of the net in injury time to give Portsmouth a 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium. Boro’s Marvin Emnes, a target for Swansea over the summer, opened the scoring on 26 minutes, netting from close range after fine work from Scott McDonald, who delivered an inviting cross from the byline. The whistle had barely sounded for the start of the second period before Pompey equalised, captain David Norris slotting in from just inside the area.

But on 53 minutes Tony Mowbray’s side delighted the home fans by regaining the lead thanks to a 15-yard strike from teenage sensation Rhys Williams. There was a late sting in the tale, however, with Varney striking to earn a share of the spoils.

Mathieu Manset proved an inspired substitution as he netted twice in the final four minutes to snatch an unlikely 2-2 draw for Reading at home to Millwall. Following prolonged spells of Reading possession without penetration, Milwall took control with a two-goal blitz early in the second half. First Darius Henderson punished his old club with a free header at the back post, then John Marquis headed in from a couple of yards.

Manset’s first came with four minutes remaining, a terrific goal from well outside the box, then he repeated the trick as the clock ticked towards 90 minutes, putting the finishing touches to Jimmy Kebe’s delivery.

Darren Ferguson had reason to celebrate as Peterborough made a winning return to the Championship by defeating Crystal Palace 2-1 at London Road. Following a sketchy opening 30 minutes, with both sides failing to find any fluency, Palace striker Sean Scannell rose above the mediocrity by conjuring a fine lobbed finish after seeing his initial shot rebound to him off Ryan Bennett.

The second period continued in the same vein before another moment of magic arrived out of nowhere on the hour – Peterborough’s George Boyd rolled a free-kick into the path of Grant McCann, and he sent a left-footed howitzer into the back of the net from 30 yards. That goal was the cue for the home side to take charge, and they claimed a deserved winner with just under 20 minutes left as David Ball got on the end of Mark Little’s cross.

In the evening’s late kick-off, Southampton returned to the Championship in style by beating Leeds United 3-1. Dean Hammond, Adam Lallana and David Connolly put Saints 3-0 up, before Max Gradel scored a late consolation penalty.

Man City draft in Costel Pantilimon as keeper cover

Costel Pantilimon caught the eye when Manchester City faced Timisoara last summer

• News: New Man City goalkeeper granted work permit
• News: Bruce reveals interest in Craig Bellamy
• News: Aguero on the bench for curtain raiser
• News: Mancini not planning on losing Tevez
• News: Robinho feels for homesick Balotelli

Manchester City have announced the signing of goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon from Poli Timisoara.

Pantilimon, 24, made his debut for the Romanian national team in 2008 and played against City on two occasions in the Europa League last season. He arrives to provide cover for Joe Hart following the sale of Shay Given to Aston Villa.

Pantilimon is the club’s fourth signing of the summer after Gael Clichy, Stefan Savic and Sergio Aguero but, before the deal was announced on Friday, Mancini had indicated more arrivals are expected.

Mancini said: “We are missing other players, we don’t have enough players for all the season. This is a problem at the moment. I think we need another two or three players.”

SPL round-up: Dundee United draw with 10-man St Mirren to go top of SPL

Andy Kirk scored twice for Dunfermline

Dundee United are the new SPL leaders after they fought back to draw 1-1 with St Mirren at Tannadice on Saturday.

United and St Mirren both move above Motherwell on five points after three games, after an encounter that saw the Buddies play 45 minutes with 10 men. Nigel Hasselbaink was sent off for serious foul play on the stroke of the interval, with his side leading 1-0 at the time.

An 11th minute strike from former Dundee United player Steven Thompson, who made 133 league appearances for the club, handed the visitors an advantage. However, Jon Daly equalised with just over 20 minutes remaining to send United top on goals scored.

In the day’s other game, bottom club Inverness threw away a late lead as they failed to earn their first win of the season in a 3-3 draw with Dunfermline. Greg Tansey’s second of the match appeared to have settled an entertaining affair with seven minutes remaining, but Martin Hardie netted with 10 seconds left to deny Thistle victory.

Andy Kirk twice handed Dunfermline the lead in front of their home fans, but they were pegged back first by Tansey and then by Jonathan Hayes. Tansey then put Inverness ahead before Hardie ensured Dunfermline remain above their visitors.

Paul Scholes scores as Manchester United thrash Eric Cantona’s New York Cosmos

Paul Scholes scored the first of the match

• News: Fergie to keep Berbatov in pursuit of 84-point target
• News: Italian media says Man City have beaten Utd to Sneijder

Paul Scholes opened the scoring in his testimonial as Manchester United routed New York Cosmos 6-0 at Old Trafford.

The Cosmos, watched by their director of football Eric Cantona, saw a full-strength United team build a 2-0 half-time lead thanks to strikes from Scholes and Wayne Rooney.

Sir Alex Ferguson reshuffled his pack for the second period, with one eye on the Community Shield clash with Manchester City on Sunday, but there was no let-up from United.

Anderson, Danny Welbeck and Mame Biram Diouf, who nabbed a brace, were on all target in the second half.

Meanwhile, Everton lost Seamus Coleman to injury in their 1-0 defeat to Villarreal at Goodison Park. Coleman was substituted as half-time loomed following a nasty challenge from Spain international defender Carlos Marchena.

Tottenham Hotspur target Guiseppe Rossi struck in the 65th minute to win the match for the visitors, hammering a free-kick into the top corner of the net.

Bolton Wanderers suffered a 1-0 loss to Levante at the Reebok Stadium, with substitute Vicente Iborra tapping in after a free-kick rattled the crossbar.

Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge grabs brace to sink Rangers

Daniel Sturridge has impressed during pre-season at Chelsea

• 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.

<!– Put this anywhere in the of your page where you want the widget to show up. –>

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.

Gary Taylor-Fletcher steals three points for Blackpool at Hull in the Championship

Gary Taylor Fletcher’s 81st minute strike earned Blackpool a fortunate win

Gary Taylor-Fletcher, who scored Blackpool’s first Premier League goal on the first day of last season, gave them a winning return to the Championship at Hull.

Taylor-Fletcher, whose goal away to Wigan a year ago set the Seasiders on their way to a stunning 4-0 win, lashed home a glorious angled effort nine minutes from time to secure a 1-0 victory.

Hull’s Tom Cairney and veteran striker Kevin Phillips on his Blackpool debut both shot against the post in the first half, while the hosts were made to pay for a succession of missed chances after the break.

Blackpool were relegated on the final day of last season and started slowly at the KC Stadium. Hull almost went ahead in style in the 12th minute. Cairney’s curling left-footed free-kick from 30 yards looked headed for the top corner only to come back off the post.

Robbie Brady, on loan from Manchester United, then cut inside from the left only to pull his shot wide of the near post.

At the other end, Phillips, 38-years-old but still a handful, made ground down the right and sent in a cross which goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi came for but failed to cut out.

Elliot Grandin got his head to the ball but, under pressure from two defenders, could not direct his effort on target.

The lively Brady then got to the byline and fired in a cross which Stephen Crainey had to head behind.

But it was the visitors who ended the first half the strongest as Taylor-Fletcher pounced on a poor clearance and played Phillips in down the right, but the former England striker’s fierce shot hit the outside of the near post with Gulacsi beaten.

Blackpool threatened again in the opening seconds after the break, Grandin skipping away from the challenge of James Chester only to be denied by a magnificent sliding tackle from Brady just inside the area.

Ian Holloway’s men were now firmly in the ascendancy and Gulacsi was again unconvincing in the air as he failed to get a punch to Grandin’s free-kick lofted into the area and Craig Cathcart’s header dropped just wide.

Blackpool were then rescued by a last-ditch tackle from Alex Baptiste to nick the ball away from Matt Fryatt, while Brady raced down the right and guided in a low cross which Nick Barmby, sliding in, just failed to get a touch to.

Gulacsi’s vulnerability on crosses nearly cost Hull again as he stayed on his line when he should have come to claim Grandin’s corner and Taylor-Fletcher headed wide when he should have scored.

The best chance so far fell to Hull in the 69th minute when Fryatt was sent clean through, but a heavy touch allowed Matt Gilks to smother his shot and Barmby curled the rebound over the bar.

Brady was causing all sorts of problems with his pace down the wings and, with two defenders for company, still got to the byline and pulled back a low cross for Cairney, who was denied by an excellent block by Cathcart.

Blackpool took the lead in the 81st minute thanks to a fine goal by Taylor-Fletcher.

The 30-year-old played a neat one-two with Keith Southern, receiving the return ball as he broke into the right of the area and cracking a bouncing ball into the far corner past the despairing dive of Gulacsi.

Substitute Jay Simpson should have equalised in the dying moments when a long ball found him in space with the goal at his mercy, but he shot horribly over the bar.

Chelsea new boy Oriol Romeu not thinking of Barcelona

Oriol Romeu can return to Barcelona for as little as £8.7 million

• News: Lukaku waiting to finalise Chelsea switch

Oriol Romeu admits he would like to return to Barcelona in the future but is currently focused on making an impact at his new side Chelsea.

Romeu, 19, sealed his £4.35 million move from Barcelona to Chelsea this week, inking a four-year deal at Stamford Bridge. The agreement, however, includes a buy-back clause of £8.7 million after one year and £13 million after two.

“You never know what can happen in the future,” Romeu said. “I will always support Barca and hopefully some day I can return there. But, right now, what I want is to succeed at Chelsea and be well there.”

Romeu, who is expected to compete with John Obi Mikel for the holding midfield berth, is hoping to learn a lot at the Blues, adding: “They (Chelsea) have players of enormous quality. The coach is also of a very high level and what I want to do is continue improving as a player there.”