Woodgate return

Real nightmare for Woodgate debut
Heres how it went!! Jonathan Woodgate suffered a torrid Real Madrid debut, scoring a spectacular own goal and then being sent off against Athletic Bilbao. In the first half Woodgate, 25, stooped to clear a Joseba Etxeberria shot only to head the ball past Iker Casillas. Woodgate was red-carded on 65 minutes after picking up a second yellow card. Despite Woodgate's sending off Real went on to comfortably beat Bilbao 3-1, with goals from Brazilian Robinho and a brace from captain Raul. Woodgate's first yellow card came when he lunged at Bilbao midfielder Carlos Gurpegi just before the interval. The second booking was for a foul on Etxeberria. Woodgate confessed: "It was not the best start in the world." On his own goal, he said: "I couldn't believe it. I went to try to block the ball and it just skimmed off my head. Obviously, I did not want to get an own goal." As for his dismissal, the former Leeds and Newcastle player added: "I just can't believe I got sent off. I didn't think the second yellow card was right, you know, but it's the referee's decision. "I want to thank the public, who were brilliant when I was walking off. They were all clapping and cheering." Injury to Ivan Helguera and a suspension for Sergio Ramos had allowed the central defender to make his debut over a year after joining Real from Newcastle in a £13.4m move. Woodgate had not started a competitive match since tearing a thigh muscle in a Premiership game against Chelsea on 25 April 2004. He had been due to make his debut for Real last October but suffered a recurrence of the injury in a training game. Woodgate did make a brief appearance for Real in the final five minutes of a pre-season match in August. On a positive note, the Englishman came through his debut without any adverse physical reaction. "Physically I felt good," he said. "My leg was no problem and I felt strong." He also vowed: "I will come back stronger."

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