Gascoigne shows his wild streak

Paul Gascoigne made his presence felt in more ways than one as Everton lost 2-0 to Tranmere Rovers in a friendly at Prenton Park last night.

Paul Gascoigne made his presence felt in more ways than one as Everton lost 2-0 to Tranmere Rovers in a friendly at Prenton Park last night.

Making his first appearance on Merseyside since his free transfer from Middlesbrough, the former England midfielder had an early shot blocked and set up Phil Jevons with a pin-point fourth-minute cross which saw the 21-year-old's header come back off the bar.

However, Gascoigne had to go off for treatment to a head wound, and while he was absent Wayne Gill put Rovers ahead in the 20th minute. Wayne Allison doubled the First Division side's lead 10 minutes later.

Gascoigne's wild streak surfaced once again in the 65th minute when he aimed a kick at Rovers' Sean Flynn and was immediately substituted by the Everton bench.

Blackburn Rovers looked like First Division promotion contenders against Leeds United - but it was the Premiership team who came out on top with a 3-2 win at Ewood Park thanks to a hat-trick of free-kicks from Ian Harte.

After Harte's first left-foot strike, Garry Flitcroft equalised from long range for Rovers. The Republic of Ireland international put Leeds ahead again but Rovers scrambled a second equaliser through Martin Taylor. Harte's third goal came 15 minutes into the second half.

First-half goals from Phil Gray and John Mullen gave Burnley a 2-1 home win over Manchester City, who replied in the second half through Lee Peacock in a game played in a constant downpour.