The Cocks needed to stand up after a poor start to the season but poor communication between Evans and Neto let Hazard run through them to set up an early tap-in for Giroud. Undiminished, the hosts pushed forward, debutant Foden’s stinging shot drawing a save from Navas that fell perfectly for Jota to equalise. Star man Bale took a knock in the first half but bravely played on and got his reward with a powerful header after the break. La Ball were more than playing their part in a chance-rich game and a precision counter saw Hazard run free down the left to level it up – but Godin’s header from an 87th-minute corner was just enough for Ferguson’s men to secure their first points of the campaign.

By Ian Nolan