Craig Bellamy's scored the winner as Manchester City beat Celtic 2-1 in a pre-season friendly at Eastlands.

After sanctioning a near-£100million summer spending spree, Blues chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak was on hand to watch Mark Hughes' men record the victory that will send them to Blackburn for next Saturday's Premier League opener believing they can start to match the hype that has grown around them.

With Carlos Tevez making his debut as a second-half substitute to partner Emmanuel Adebayor in attack, Hughes' new-look side is beginning to take shape, even though Kolo Toure lasted only 18 minutes before signalling he could not continue.

The former Arsenal man's exit affected City's rhythm if, ultimately, not the result, Bellamy scoring five minutes after the restart once Chris Killen had levelled Gareth Barry's fine effort before half-time.

Liverpool's patchy pre-season form continued with another defeat, 2-1 to Atletico Madrid, despite a late flurry and a rare Lucas Leiva strike.

Atletico were two ahead at the break and deserved their win, as Liverpool's injury worries worsened.

Their preparations for the new season were not helped by the sight of Jamie Carragher limping out of the sell-out friendly.

Arsenal's pre-season programme ended in disappointment as Arsene Wenger's troops suffered a comprehensive 2-0 defeat against Spanish outfit Valencia.

Michel and David Villa were on target for the hosts at the Mestalla, while Villa also saw a penalty saved by substitute goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski.

Darren Bent celebrated his move to Sunderland by opening his goalscoring account as Hearts were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against the Barclays Premier League side.

The Jambos surged into the lead in style when David Obua opened the scoring with a lovely opportunist strike, before being pegged back when Sunderland's latest recruit found the back of the net shortly before the interval.

Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon was not risked as he continues his recovery from knee surgery, despite taking part in a pre-match warm-up.

Frederic Piquionne scored a debut double as Portsmouth beat Rangers 2-0 in both sides' final friendly before the season.

Piquionne gave Pompey fans a glimpse of what to expect during his year-long loan from Lyon with two expertly taken goals at sun-drenched Fratton Park.

The Frenchman opened the scoring just past the half-hour mark when he headed in Younes Kaboul's floated cross, and he netted his second shortly after half-time when he rounded Allan McGregor and rolled the ball into the empty net.

Rangers arrived on the south coast without four of their Scotland internationals, who were preparing for Wednesday's crucial World Cup qualifier in Norway.

Aston Villa's pre-season preparations concluded on a high note with a 1-0 victory over Serie A side Fiorentina at Villa Park.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill handed a debut to new £6million signing Fabian Delph but it was experienced campaigner Emile Heskey who hit winner for the hosts after 14 minutes, the striker reacting quickest to Ashley Young's cross to prod home at the near post.

Fiorentina spurned a great chance to pull level with 15 minutes remaining when Curtis Davies handled in the area, Alberto Gilardino crashing the resulting penalty against the upright.

A late goal from Fabio Quagliarella condemned West Ham to a 1-0 defeat in their Bobby Moore Cup clash against Napoli.

A keenly contested encounter at Upton Park ultimately went the way of the Italians after Quagliarella looped home a superb flicked header over Hammers goalkeeper Robert Green after 78 minutes.

The visitors were on the back foot moments later, however, when Manuele Blasi was sent off for a second yellow card just 26 minutes after entering the fray as a substitute.

The hosts pushed for an equaliser in the final minutes and came close through Junior Stanislas in stoppage time, but Napoli's 10 men held on for the win.

Blackburn's strikers drew yet another blank in a 2-0 loss at Dundee United.

Rovers missed a host of chances in a goalless stalemate against Hibernian in midweek and again failed to fire as their hosts ran out comfortable winners thanks to strikes in each half from Andis Shala and Prince Buaben.

Blackburn's Lancashire rivals Burnley also suffered defeat at the hands of top-flight Scottish opposition as St Johnstone ran out 1-0 winners at McDiarmid Park.

Clarets manager Owen Coyle's return to his former club failed to deliver what would have been a morale-boosting win for Burnley ahead of their maiden Premier League campaign, Paul Sheerin's penalty seven minutes from time sealing victory for the hosts.

Wigan signed off their pre-season programme in style with a 3-1 win over St Mirren at the DW Stadium.

Jason Koumas fired the Latics into the lead after 27 minutes but the hosts were quickly pegged back when Craig Dargo netted for the Scottish Premier League outfit.

Goals from Hugo Rodallega and Mario Melchiot put Wigan out of sight after the break.

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish handed a debut to former Liverpool full-back Gregory Vignal as the Blues were held to a 0-0 draw by Spanish outfit Sporting Gijon at St Andrews, while Bolton also played out a goalless stalemate in Jussi Jaaskelainen's testimonial match against Hibernian.