Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe scored twice as an England XI beat a Rest of the World XI 3-2 at Old Trafford in Sunday night's Soccer Aid game.
The UNICEF event once again drew a strong crowd and those in attendance were treated to an entertaining match, which swung the way of England in the latter stages as Premier League forward Defoe turned on the style.
Jose Mourinho, Claudio Ranieri and Sam Allardyce all took part on the managerial side, while a number of ex-professionals, including Brazilian pair Ronaldinho and Cafu, were present in Manchester for the charity showpiece.
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It was England that made the brighter start to proceedings and former The Only Way Is Essex star Mark Wright and singer Ollie Murs came close to making the breakthrough in what was a lovely opening five minutes at the home of Manchester United.
Murs had a chance to open the scoring in the seventh minute after going through one on one with Dida, but the former AC Milan goalkeeper was on hand to make a smart save.
Robbie Fowler set up Marvin Humes as England had another chance in the 17th minute, but the former JLS singer took a heavy touch and Dida resumed play from the dead-ball line.
Edgar Davids was the player making things happen for the Rest of the World as the first period continued to gather pace, and the former Netherlands international had a couple of tussles with Jamie Carragher much to the enjoyment of the crowd.
Murs's best chance came in the 30th minute after he met a Humes cross inside the box, but the X Factor star somehow missed the post.
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A shocking challenge from TV presenter Ben Shephard on Davids brought the first yellow card of the match in the 33rd minute, and despite England's domination, the score remained goalless approaching the end of the first period.
Fowler's best chance of the half came five minutes before the break, but the former Liverpool striker could not beat the towering figure of Dida in a one-on-one situation, before the 41-year-old passed up another chance in stoppage time.
Defoe, Danny Murphy and Kieron Dyer were all introduced for England at the interval, but Jack Whitehall had the first chance of the second period - firing straight at fellow comedian Patrick Kielty from outside the box.
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Defoe had the ball in the back of the Rest of the World net moments later, but the offside flag was raised. Defoe then converted a Whitehall effort from close range, but once again the flag went up, much to the devastation of Whitehall.
England finally took the lead in the 51st minute, however, when Mark Wright, who was named the official 'Man of the Match' following an impressive performance, fired a free kick into the corner from distance.
Jubilation turned to frustration two minutes later though as Ben Shephard, having been booked in the first period, was given a second yellow card and created Soccer Aid history by becoming the first player to be sent off in the event.
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Rest of the World made use of their one-man advantage in the 55th minute when half-time substitute Dimitar Berbatov fired home from close range after a scramble inside the England box.
The visitors were then awarded a penalty as TV presenter Paddy McGuinness brought Ronaldinho to the ground inside the box and Berbatov stepped up to send his spot kick into the back of the net.
England were level in the 65th minute, however, when Sunderland striker Defoe burst away from former Italian international Fabio Cannavaro before driving his effort into the bottom corner.
Defoe, who netted 15 Premier League goals for Sunderland last season, should have scored a second five minutes later, but Kielty was on hand to make a smart save for Rest of the World.
Davids struck one from distance as Rest of the World enjoyed a rare break 15 minutes from time, but the midfielder's effort was always moving over the crossbar, moments before One Direction's Niall Horan was introduced.
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It was England that found a third, however, as Defoe fired home from close range after a smart cross from former Newcastle United and West Ham United midfielder Dyer.
Defoe had a wonderful chance to score a third in the 82nd minute after another excellent set-up from Dyer, but the former England international somehow missed the target from close range.
Robbie Williams and Louis Tomlinson were both introduced for the closing stages in the two most popular changes of the night, but Defoe's second was where the scoring finished on what was another successful Soccer Aid event.
Ronaldinho, Davids and Berbatov remained on the field for the visitors and an equaliser would have forced a penalty shootout, but it was not to be for Ranieri's side, who could not sparkle some Leicester City dust on the team in blue.
Matt Law
