English round-up

Aug 3 2008

GOAL king Ole Gunnar Solskjaer signed off his Old Trafford career with a glittering testimonial as Manchester United beat Espanyol 1-0.

Solskjaer, who netted 127 times in 366 games for United, made his final appearance since signing for Sir Alex Ferguson in 1996.

But the 70,000 fans who packed Old Trafford were left disappointed as the baby-faced assassin failed to hit the net - Fraizer Campbell showing him the way to goal on this occasion.

Espanyol keeper Cristian Alvarez twice denied the Norwegian hitman the goal every supporter wanted but could do nothing to stop Campbell's strike eight minutes from time after Ryan Giggs sent him clear.

Solskjaer, scorer of the Red Devils' Champions League winner against Bayern Munich in 1999, will take up a coaching post at Old Trafford.

United's rivals Manchester City came back from a goal down on two occasions to snatch a 2-2 draw at Stockport.

Anthony Pilkington put County ahead in the 65th minute before Valeri Bojinov headed the equaliser for Mark Hughes' side.

Peter Thompson looked to have given the home side a shock win but Ched Evans was felled in the box before slotting home the resulting penalty.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa keeper Brad Friedel saved a spot-kick as Martin O'Neill's side drew 1-1 with Reading.

The ex-Blackburn man saved from Stephen Hunt on his full Villa debut before Gabriel Agbonlahor cancelled Jem Karacan's opener.