Hargreaves scores on Man City debut in cup win

LONDON: Owen Hargreaves marked his return to competitive football with a debut goal for Manchester City in a 2-0 win over defending champion Birmingham in the League Cup on Wednesday.The England midfielder, who struggled through three injury-plagued years before being released by City’s neighbor Manchester United in the offseason, fired in City’s opener from 25 meters (yards) in the third-round victory over the cup holders.After so long out, I don’t think it was easy for him before the game,” City manager Roberto Mancini said.


“But he worked well and scored a fantastic goal.”


On a night of comebacks, Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard returned after six months out in a 2-1 victory over BrightonThe result was good, but I still feel at the back of my mind I could have beaten them for the first time in 32 years (at Stamford Bridge),” Fulham manager Martin Jol.


At Goodison Park, Everton captain Phil Neville scored the winner in stoppage time after Marouane Fellaini had forced the game into extra-time with an 89th-minute volley that canceled out Chris Brunt’s penalty kick for West Brom