Benayoun makes competitive comeback

International breaks can often provide a headache for managers who become worried by potential injuries to their stars.

Carlo Ancelotti, however, will be buoyed by the news that Yossi Benayoun returned to competitive football for the first since September as Israel beat Georgia in a Euro 2012 qualifier.

The diminutive Chelsea midfielder has been missing for the Blues has been missing for over six months after an Achilles tear, but came on for the final 20 minutes in his country's 1-0 victory.

 

Meanwhile, Chelsea no.1 Petr Cech kept a clean sheet for the Czech Republic as to leave them second in Group I - six points behind group leaders Spain. Fernando Torres was an unused substitute for the World Cup winners as they downed Lithuania 3-1.

Elsewhere, Branislav Ivanovic played the full 90 minutes in Serbia's 1-1 draw with Estonia, and Florent Malouda managed just under an hour as France and Croatia ended goalless.

Yuri Zhirkov was also in action further afield as Russia were held by Qatar in a match that ended 1-1.