Petrov class sinks the Irish - Sport - Evening Standard
       

Petrov class sinks the Irish

Martin Petrov proved he is capable of poise as well as power as he settled this low-key clash at Windsor Park.

The Manchester City winger, renowned for thunderous shooting, gave Bulgaria a 38th minute lead with great subtlety after breaking clear down the left.

Scroll down to read more:

Shaping to cut the ball back, he waited for Maik Taylor to commit himself before slotting it in at the near post.

Petrov also had a freekick deflected narrowly wide, with Taylor beaten, while the Birmingham goalkeeper did well to tip over a header by Alexander Tunchev from another Petrov delivery on 25 minutes.

Kyle Lafferty of Burnley missed the chance to impress watching Rangers assistant boss Ally McCoist when he failed to finish Chris Brunt's menacing cross.

David Healy had a 50thminute shot saved by substitute keeper Dimitar Ivankov and a free-kick deflected over, but Bulgaria's defence was too tough a nut to crack.

Comments

Don't Miss
Rock star: Erin Wasson

Rock star

Erin Wasson is the ultimate anti-supermodel
Maybe it’s because she’s a Londoner … Happy anniversary, Ma’am

Happy anniversary

The monarchy has become stronger and more respected in the past 60 years
Victoria Coren: My obsession with children, five proposals a week and why David and I are no power couple

Victoria Coren

David Mitchell and I are no power couple
The Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition preview party

Summer party

Stars at the The Royal Academy of Arts
London gets ready for the Diamond Jubilee - in pictures

Diamond Jubilee

London gets ready - in pictures
The Glamour Awards - stars turn on the style

Glamour Awards

Stars turn on the style
Duchess of Cambridge is pretty in pink at her first Buckingham Palace garden party

Garden party

Duchess of Cambridge is pretty in pink
FIRST review of Ridley Scott's latest sci-fi blockbuster Prometheus

First review

Is Ridley Scott's Prometheus any good?
Fair-weather goths

Fair-weather goths

The sultry shades of summer darks are coming out of the shadows
Dog save the Queen: Corgis surge in popularity

Dog save the Queen

Corgis surge in popularity