Cers are a team who have played within themselves throughout this nascent season and that continued here, with the Cocks looking more dangerous in the early exchanges. Luis Enrique’s team began to put on more pressure in the second half but Neto sent a message to the doubters with a solid performance to keep them out while, at the other end, substitute Jota fired home to give Brigstock hopes of a second consecutive victory. But persistence paid off for the holders, as first Lenglet broke through from a corner and then, deep in injury time, the ball fell to Reus in a scramble and the German bundled it in. Something of a let-off for the home side, while Ferguson will be frustrated by an unfortunate slide back towards their poor start.

By Cillian T. Bang