By Alan Duffy
Forget the achievements of Bradley Wiggins or Chris Hoy, the real sporting story of this summer is the news that Liverpool’s Stewart Downing, a man who failed to score a single goal in the league in 2011/12 (and only managed two in total – both in the FA Cup) has already found the net in 2012/13.
The former Middlesbrough man’s miraculous strike came against Belarusian side FC Gomel in Liverpool’s Europa League qualifier to give the Reds a 1-0 away win to take back to Anfield.
New boy Fabio Borini started while Joe Cole, back from his loan spell in France, also lined out for Brendan Rodgers’ side. Although the former West Ham man did only last 23 minutes. However, it was Downing of all people, who grabbed the vital goal. Maybe this season he’ll rediscover his shooting boots consistently under his new boss?