Football: Zola welcomes Sutton

THE FOOTBALL post-season has barely begun but the pre-season friendlies are already upon us, and big-spending Chelsea were among the first to appear at the weekend when they won 3-0 at Kingstonian of the Nationwide Conference.

The pounds 10m striker Chris Sutton did not play but goals from the Italians Gianfranco Zola and Sam Dallabona and the Finn Mikael Forssell kept a shirt-sleeved crowd entertained. Zola is convinced that Sutton will make a difference at Stamford Bridge. "Chris is the kind of finisher we lacked last season and fits in nicely," he said.

The Dutch World Cup defender Arthur Numan made his first appearance for Rangers for seven months after knee and ankle injuries in the 4-2 friendly win against Livingston at Almondvale Stadium.