New boy Sterling strikes in Australia

RAHEEM Sterling was pleased to be back playing football – and scoring goals – after an impressive Manchester City debut in Australia.

The England forward started to put some of the controversy surrounding his acrimonious £49million move from Liverpool behind him by quickly getting on the scoresheet for his new club in their latest pre–season friendly.

The 20 year old found the net after two minutes and 17 seconds of his first City appearance, against Roma at the vast Melbourne Cricket Ground.

“Back doing what I love doing,” he said afterwards, along with a picture of himself celebrating his goal.

City won the game 5–4 on penalties after the scores finished 2–2 at the end of 90 minutes.

Goalkeeper Joe Hart proved the shoot–out hero, saving spot–kicks from Seydou Doumbia and Seydou Keita as well as smashing one in himself.

City’s other goal in normal time came from impressive Nigerian teenager Kelechi Iheanacho with Roma scoring equalisers through Miralem Pjanic and Adem Ljajic.