Ashton downs Canaries while LuaLua plucks Cherries
Dean Ashton scored against his former club as West Ham beat Norwich 2-1 in a friendly at Carrow Road last night.
Hammers' American defender Jonathan Spector rifled home after good work by Luis Boa Morte and Bobby Zamora before the highly-rated Ashton, who missed most of last season due to injury, made it 2-0 before the break. He latched on to a loose ball after Boa Morte's shot was saved and fired past Andy Marshall.
Mark Noble battles for West Ham during their friendly against Norwich
Ex-Sunderland striker Chris Brown pulled a goal back for Norwich.
Lomana LuaLua scored a hat-trick as Portsmouth continued their impressive pre-season form with a 4-1 win at Bournemouth.
David Nugent battles with Bartley
Fresh from their Asia Trophy triumph in Hong Kong, Harry Redknapp's side eased home with all five goals coming in the second half. Niko Kranjcar's deflected shot put Pompey in front and LuaLua completed his hat-trick before Brett Pitman replied from the spot.
Leighton Baines fuelled speculation about an imminent £6million move to Everton by watching last night's 2-2 friendly draw at home to Werder Bremen from the directors' box at Goodison Park.
Told by Wigan manager Chris Hutchings that he would not be needed for their warm-up match at Barnsley, Baines sat alongside striker James Vaughan for his boyhood idols' sternest test so far in the build-up to the new season. Baines' presence at Goodison allied to Hutchings' move for West Brom's Paul Robinson, suggested an agreement was close.
