Pre-Season Friendlies Review: Terry nets Chelsea brace, Subotic in Dortmund return

A number of Europe’s top clubs ramped up their pre-season plans with friendlies on Saturday which saw comebacks in more than one sense.

A John Terry double helped to prevent Chelsea from suffering an embarrassing defeat to AFC Wimbledon as they came from behind to win 3-2.

Jose Mourinho’s men made the short trip to Kingston-upon-Thames to face Wimbledon and for a significant amount of time they appeared set to lose their first pre-season friendly.

Alan Bennett netted for the hosts in the first minute, getting the hosts off to a brilliant start, before Matt Tubbs converted a penalty towards the end of the first half.

However, Terry netted either side of a Mohamed Salah goal in the final 15 minutes to salvage a victory for Chelsea.

Borussia Dortmund snatched a late 4-3 win in their encounter with German 3. Liga champions Heidenheim, with Neven Subotic making his return after missing eight months of action with a knee ligament injury.

There was also a return to the pitch for Steven Fletcher, who made an impressive return after four months out as he netted twice in Sunderland’s 5-1 hammering of Darlington.

Like Chelsea, Liverpool too had to come from behind fairly late on as they beat Preston North End 2-1 at Deepdale, but a first-half injury to debutant Emre Can will have left a sour taste for Brendan Rodgers.

Liverpool equalised with just over 15 minutes left as Suso, who replaced new signing Rickie Lambert, cut on to his left foot and curled a delightful effort into the top-left corner and Kristoffer Peterson grabbed the winner a few moments later.

Arsene Wenger had a very young squad at his disposal, but Arsenal still came out on top against Boreham Wood, winning 2-0 thanks to second-half goals from Kristoffer Olsson and Benik Afobe.

Alfred Finnbogason scored on his first start for Real Sociedad following a move from Heerenveen, but opponents Ajax ended up running out 3-1 winners, while Celtic could only draw 1-1 at Dynamo Dresden.

Valencia were also unable to defeat German opposition, as Nuno Santo’s side succumbed to a 3-1 loss at Nurnberg, who suffered relegation from the Bundesliga last season.