The Stagcom 8th August Round Up
Football is back, lads! Saturday saw the start of all divisions below the Premier League, and it was amazing to have the footy back on our screens!
It's not just the football to get excited about at the minute, either. After the Rio Olympics started on Friday evening, there's been a load of sport to catch our attention over the weekend. You wouldn't have been able to move away from your television all weekend if you wanted to keep up on everything, so allow us to fill in the gaps!
Zlatan Makes His Mark
One of the reasons Jose Mourinho was so keen to bring Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Manchester United was his ability to deliver on the big stage. The former PSG forward duly delivered on Sunday, as he scored the winning goal late on in the Community Shield against Leicester City.
Jesse Lingard had given United a first-half lead as he waltzed his way through the Foxes' backline. Jamie Vardy levelled things up in the second-half after Marouane Fellaini's short back pass, but it was the largely anonymous Ibrahimovic who had the final say to give Mourinho his first trophy as United manager.
It was a significant day for United as the club also announced that a world record deal had been agreed with Juventus to bring Paul Pogba back to the club!
Football League Kicks Off
The English Football League season began on Friday evening with a real shock! Relegated Newcastle United lost 1-0 to Fulham thanks to a Matt Smith header.
Fellow relegated side Norwich City didn't find as many problems in their new surroundings as they thumped Blackburn Rovers 4-1 at Ewood Park. Aston Villa suffered an opening day defeat at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday after a late Fernando Forestieri goal.
Olympics Begins
The Rio Olympic Games began on Friday night with a breath taking opening ceremony at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
Great Britain's first medal hopes were in the hands of Tour de France winner Chris Froome, but the cyclist failed to stay with the leading pack and Belgium's Greg van Avermaet claimed gold.
Last night was a fantastic night for Great Britain in the pool, however; Adam Peaty broke his own world record on the way to winning gold in the 100m breaststroke and Jazz Carlin won silver in the 400m freestyle. It has certainly whet the appetite for all the Olympic action to come!
Outstanding England Win
England produced a fine bowling performance yesterday to claim victory in the Third Test against Pakistan and go 2-1 up in the series! Each of England's bowlers took two wickets apiece as they rattled the tourists out for 201 to seal a 141-run victory.
The win was all the more impressive after England had a first innings deficit of 103 runs; it is only the sixth time in Test history that a team has overturned a deficit of more than 100 after the first innings!
Alastair Cook hailed the win as one of his finest as England captain, and the series decider - which begins at the Oval on Thursday - should be a belter!
Image Credits: Fulham Fans Corner, Daily Mirror, England Cricket, Twitter