Smalling scores own goal and sent off in Al-Fayha debut

Chris Smalling had a debut to forget as he scored an own goal and was sent off in a 5-0 loss for new club Al-Fahya at home to Al-Raed.

BBC
BBC

Chris Smalling had a debut to forget as he scored an own goal and was sent off in a 5-0 loss for new club Al-Fahya at home to Al-Raed.

The former Manchester United and England defender joined the Saudi Pro League club this month after five years in Italy with Roma.

His first match for Al-Fahya started badly as he diverted a low cross high into his own net in the sixth minute and it only got worse for the 34-year-old.

Mohamed Fouzair doubled Al-Raed’s lead 10 minutes later and Karim el Berkaoui made it three in first-half stoppage time.

Smalling lasted just 10 minutes in the second half after he was shown a straight red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity.

With the two-time Premier League winner off, El Berkaoui added his second on the hour mark and Saleh al Amri completed the scoring soon after as Al-Fahya slumped to a third consecutive defeat to start the season.

They stay bottom with Al-Raed’s first win of the campaign lifting them to eighth.

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