Reds ease to win

LIVERPOOL began their pre-season campaign in fine style with a 3-1 victory over Cologne, with new signing Harry Kewell making a second half debut.

Gerard Houllier opted to use two sides in each half, and both teams performed admirably throughout with Michael Owen the hero with two second half goals.

Emile Heskey was a constant threat to the Germans and he opened the scoring six minutes in with a well-taken strike from 15 yards out.

The home side were level shortly after when new-boy Marius Ebbers nipped in ahead of Igor Biscan and guided the ball into the far post past Jerzy Dudek.

Heskey and Vladimir Smicer both had chances to fire The Reds back in front, however they were denied on both occasions with spectacular saves.

The second 45 minutes saw the introduction of Kewell and Owen, with the latter scoring shortly after the break when given time and space in the box.

Houllier also handed Chris Kirkland his first appearance since picking up an injury in the club's FA cup defeat to Crystal Palace last term.

With the match won, a dreadful back-pass to Stefan Wessels was intercepted by Owen who rounded the former Bayern Munich man to score easily.

Helder Postiga did not take long to open his Tottenham account with a goal in the club's 2-0 friendly win over Stevenage Borough at Broadway Hall.

Milenko Acimovic opened the scoring for Spurs with a goal on 18 minutes, following a pass from Goran Bunjevcevic, before Postiga wrapped up the scoring in the second half.

Wolves continued their build-up to the Premiership kick-off with a 0-0 draw with Second Division side Swindon Town at the County Ground.

Elsewhere, Gareth Skakes equalised Bruno N'Gotty's opener for Bolton, but further first half efforts from Per Frandsen and Henrik Pedersen restored The Trotter's advantage over Ballymena.

Bolton's Premiership superiority showed in the second period with further goals from Delroy Facey and Kevin Nolan, and a brace from Jonathan Walters completed a 7-1 win.

Portsmouth continued their build-up work with a comfortable 4-0 win over Exeter, while Calvin Zola-Makongo bagged a brace in Newcastle's 3-3 draw with Bishop Auckland.

Friendly results:
Ballymena 1 Bolton 7
Bishop Auckland 3 Newcastle United 3
Cologne 1 Liverpool 3
Exeter 0 Portsmouth 4
Stevenage 0 Tottenham 2
Swindon 0 Wolves 0