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Australian international Emerton relegated to bench [Tue Sep 20th, 2005]
Brett Emerton was relegated to the Blackburn Rovers bench as Australian players resumed their international program in European club action this weekend.
Emerton was the victim of a tactical reshuffle by Rovers boss Mark Hughes, switching formation to a 4-5-1, with former Norwich man David Bentley preferred as an attacking midfield option.
Emerton was on the bench but was never summoned from it as Rovers were hammered 3-0 at home by Newcastle United, which recorded its first win of the English Premier League season.
Australian fullback Lucas Neill did play the full match for Blackburn, but received a very early booking and gave away the foul that led to Alan Shearer's opening goal.
At Wigan, Mark Viduka's flick-on set up Middlesborough's opening goal through Ayegbeni Yakubu in a 1-1 draw.
Viduka, one of the few Australians to have played last week after being summoned from Australian international duty, was substituted in the 61st minute after his tiring program.
Boro as a whole looked fatigued after Thursday's UEFA Cup win over Xanthi - in which Viduka also scored - and gave away a late equaliser to Wigan, with Australian international keeper Mark Schwarzer the victim of a defensive muddle.
John Filan was on the bench for Wigan after early-season injury worries, but Mike Pollitt was preferred in the Latics' goal, while Josip Skoko did not make the squad.
Ahmad Elrich was an unused sub for Fulham in their home defeat by West Ham.
On the continent, Australian international striker John Aloisi played the whole game for new club Alaves as they were beaten 4-3 at home by Getafe in the Spanish Primera Liga.
In Italy, Marco Bresciano played a full game and Vince Grella started and was substituted as Parma recorded a 1-0 win over Empoli.
AAP
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