Rooney sidelined for up to two months
Manchester United striker needs surgery to repair a six-inch thigh gash
Wayne Rooney is facing up to two months on the sidelines at Manchester United after undergoing surgery to repair a six-inch wound which cut as deep as his thigh bone.
Rooney, whose right thigh was sliced open by the studs of Fulham forward Hugo Rodallega in a freak collision during Saturday’s Premier League fixture at Old Trafford, had to go under general anesthetic beforesurgery, which included the stitching of the wound, due to the severity of the injury.
The player then spent the night under observation in hospital before being discharged Sunday morning to recover at home.
But the initial fears of United manager Sir Alex Ferguson that the 26-year-old would be out for a month as a result of the gash now appear hugely optimistic, with medical staff shocked by the extent of the cut.
Man City rallies to draw
LONDON — Manchester City twice came from behind to draw 2 -2 against Liverpool in the Premier League at Anfield on Sunday after Carlos Tevez scored a late equalizer.
Martin Skrtel headed Liverpool into a 1-0 lead at halftime, but Yaya Toure levelled for City after goalkeeper Pepe Reina missed a cross and Martin Kelly failed to control the ball, allowing Kolo Toure to finish from close range in the 63rd minute.
Liverpool took the lead again three minutes later thanks to Luis Suarez’s free kick. Skrtel then underhit a back pass toward Reina that Tevez latched on to before rounding the goalkeeper and slotting into an empty net to save a point for his team in the 80th.
At Britannia Stadium, Stoke and Arsenal played out a scoreless draw.
France forward Olivier Giroud came closest to winning the game for Arsenal in the final minute of the match, receiving the ball 40 yards from goal and lobbing goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, only for the ball to land on the roof of the net.
Stoke had a goal ruled out from Jonathan Walters in the first half for offside.
Sampdoria upsets AC
MILAN, Italy — Visiting Sampdoria stunned AC Milan 1-0 in its opening Serie A match on Sunday through Andrea Costa’s headed goal in the 60th minute.
Kevin-Prince Boateng almost rescued a point for Milan in stoppage time but his effort crashed off the right post.
The result marks a memorable start for newly promoted Sampdoria and new coach Ciro Ferrara. Milan has until Friday to bring in reinforcements before the transfer window closes.
The Rossoneri already find themselves on the back foot, after defending champion Juventus beat Parma 2-0 on Saturday and Napoli beat Palermo 3-0.
Inter Milan cruised to a 3-0 win over promoted Pescara thanks to goals from Wesley Sneijder, Diego Milito and Philippe Coutinho. Cassano provided the assist for the second goal on his debut.
A breathtaking goal from Pablo Osvaldo was not enough to give Roma all three points, as it was held to a 2-2 draw at home by Catania in Zdenek Zeman’s return to the Roma coaching post after a 13-year absence.
Madrid still winless
MADRID, Spain — Defending champion Real Madrid has made its worst start in the Spanish league in 39 years after losing 2-1 at Getafe on Sunday to stay winless after the opening two rounds.
On the sidelines
TURIN, Italy — Juventus defender Lucio is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after tearing ankle ligaments in training. Lucio, who has only been at Juventus for a month, twisted his right ankle Friday.
Kuwait coach shot
Police say Kuwait national team soccer coach Goran Tufegdzic has been shot in his native Serbia and is in critical condition.
Puyol breaks cheekbone
BARCELONA, Spain — Barcelona says their captain Carles Puyol fractured his right cheekbone in Sunday’s 2-1 Spanish league victory at Osasuna.