Former Man City star Negredo turns back the years

Dubai - The 34-year-old Spaniard conjures a bicycle kick to settle Dubai Derby between Al Nasr and Shabab Al Ahli

Former Manchester City star Alvaro Negredo conjured a brilliant goal befitting a Derby as Al Nasr got the better of 10-man Shabab Al Ahli in the Arabian Gulf League.
The 34-year-old Spaniard belied his age and turned back the years as his fantastic bicycle kick settled the Dubai Derby at the Al Maktoum Stadium.
It had been a stalemate right until the hour before Negredo stamped his class on proceedings. Negredo, who made 49 appearances for City and was part of the Premier League-winning team in the 2013-14 season, shook off his marker Walid Abbas and shot stopper Majed Naser before firing it into the net.
The victory, Al Nasr's second and both under new coach Krunoslav Jurcic, vaulted The Blues from 10th to sixth on the table.
Meanwhile, the night got even worse for Shabab Al Ahli as they were down to 10 men for the remainder of the 14 minutes after Leonardo was sent off for a harsh challenge on Mohammed Ayed.
Although Shabab Al Ahli coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena remonstrated on the touchline, it was a deserved red card. Television replays showed Leonardo had stuck his boot on Ayed's head while going for the ball. Referee Abdulla Ali Al Ajel Al Zaabi referred to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) before giving Leonardo his marching orders.
Shabab Al Ahli lost ground on the table, their first defeat of the season dropping them to third behind leaders Sharjah and Al Ain.
Meanwhile, Al Ain coach Ivan Leko said they were not at their best despite his side pumping in seven goals against Fujairah.
Togolese striker Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba ripped in four of them as Al Ain won 7-1.
"We deserved to win against Fujairah and Laba and Bandar Al Ahbabi were brilliant in the game. But we were not at our best as there were a few defensive errors in the first half. But we managed to improve in the second half," said Leko.
james@khaleejtimes.com