Turkey: A good win for cimbom but a terrible result at home for Trabzon. This could be a very predictable season if things continue the way they’ve started.
Beşiktaş 2 – 0 Antalyaspor
A fine opener from Holosko and a belter of a free-kick from Tello midway through the second half earned mighty Beşiktaş the points.
Fenerbahçe 3 – 0 Sivasspor
Sivas lost ten players over the summer and last year’s 2nd place finish already looks a long time ago. Colin Kazım-Richards began the rout for Fenerbahçe, then a total howler from the Sivas keeper allowed Emre’s tame shot squirm into the net. A superb solo effort from Santos wrapped up a comfortable home win.
Galatasaray 4 – 1 Denizlispor
Big Emil Angelov gave the visitors an unlikely lead in the 39th minute, but Harry Kewell equalised from the spot on the stroke of halftime. Young Arda Turan put Galatasaray in front on the hour mark. Kewell’s second penalty of the night and an own goal from Ahmet Solakel sealed the victory for Frank Rijkaard’s men.
Trabzonspor 1 – 2 Diyarbakirspor
The formbook suggests that Trabzon might be championship candidates come next May while Biyarbakır will spend most of the season as cannon fodder. Well, the formbook waz a bit crap lazt night. Remzi Giray Kaçar put the hosts in front in the 35th minute, but Thierry Tazemeta levelled matters in the 69th minute before the visitors snatched all three points with only moments remaining.
Holland: A couple of wins for the new firm, while the old school play out a seven-goal thriller.
RKC Waalwijk 0 – 6 AZ Alkmaar
After Moussa Dembele controlled the play down the AZ left hand side, he threaded a pass through to Mounir El Hamdaoui who scored past the Waalwijk keeper. After the break Moussa Dembele cracked in a high shot for number two. Midway through the second half, El Hamdaoui scored his second of the night before Martens netted twice and substitute Jeremain Lens scored in the final 15 minutes.
Den Haag 0 – 1 FC Twente
Blaise Nkufo scored a 64th minute goal to earn big Shhhhteve McClaren’s Twente an away win which put them top of the Dutch league.
PSV 4 – 3 Ajax
An horrendous blunder from the PSV keeper allowed big Luis Suarez to nick in and bag Ajax the opener, but the Eindhoven outfit levelled through Balazs Dzsudzsak’s unstoppable rocket of a free-kick in the 38th minute. It only took sixty seconds before Ajax retook the lead through Luis Suarez.
In the second half, Otman Bakkal pulled PSV level and the hosts finally moved ahead when Dzsudzsak fooled everyone by angling a beautiful free-kick into the far top corner. A pulsating match then saw Urby Emanuelson wallop in a 58th minute equaliser, but midway through the second period Bakkal crashed home the seventh and final goal of the game to give PSV an epic victory.
France: Defending champs Bordeaux win away from home while big boys Lyon apply the pressure:
Sochaux 2 – 3 Bordeaux
Sought-after striker Marouane Chamakh will have kept up English interest in his services after heading Bordeaux ahead at Sochaux. Wendel grabbed his second goal in as many games to double the visitors’ lead at the break. In the second half a brace from American striker Charlie Davies proved inconsequential as Marouane Chamakh netted a third for Laurent Blanc’s reigning champions.
Lyon 1 – 0 Valenciennes
A well-directed header from new signing Bafetimbi Gomis’ steered Lyon to victory.
Scotland: Old firm in two horse race shocker, blah, blah, blah…
Aberdeen 1 – 3 Celtic
The Bhoys went ahead on the half hour through bad boy Aiden McGeady, who soon chalked up his second with a left-foot bender from the edge of the box. Celtic’s blitz at the end of the first half was completed by Scott McDonald tucking home the third as the Dons’ defence fell apart.
Rangers 4 – 1 Falkirk
A fine opener from Lee McCulloch was cancelled out by Carl Finnigan, with Rangers then taking complete control with a brace from Kenny Miller and a late strike from Steven Naismith to ensure there would be no shocks on the opening day. Or ever.
