Sterling scores two minutes into Man City career

MELBOURNE: Record signing Raheem Sterling took just over two minutes to score his debut goal as Manchester City downed AS Roma on penalties in the International Champions Cup in Melbourne on Tuesday. England goalkeeper Joe Hart made two late saves as Manchester City won 5-4 after the penalty shootout at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Sterling, the most expensive English footballer in history, took just two minutes and 17 seconds to open his account for the bigspending English club. He showed his explosive pace to swoop on a defence-splitting pass from Kelechi Iheanacho to leave Roma goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis flailing and slot the ball into the empty net.

SUAREZ LOOKS AHEAD

MADRID: Luis Suarez struggled to get into his stride with new club Barcelona after his ban for biting an opponent expired in October and the Uruguay striker is determined to avoid the same fate when the new season starts next month.

“For the first few matches I was lacking rhythm,” Suarez said.

“That’s what pre-seasons are for, to work and try to contribute from the start,” added the 28-year-old. “This year, starting at the same pace as my team mates, it will be different.”