Smalling endures nightmare debut after Roma transfer

Former Roma defender Chris Smalling had a nightmare start to his career in the Saudi Pro League, scoring an own goal and getting sent off in an eventual 5-0 loss in his first match since his move away from the Stadio Olimpico.

Nightmare start for Smalling in Saudi Arabia

Just six minutes into his Al-Fayha debut, Smalling diverted the ball into his own net after a drilled, low cross into the six-yard box from the right-hand side of the penalty area.

Al-Fayha would go on to concede twice more before the end of the first half.

10 minutes into the second, the night got even worse for the former England international, who was sent off for a straight red card offence, calling time on his debut after just 55 minutes.

His teammates would go on gto concede another two goals after his dismissal, and ended up recording the club’s worst ever defeat in the Saudi Pro League.

Commenters online have dubbed Smalling’s outing as a ‘Woodgate debut’ referring to a similarly poor first appearance from Jonathan Woodgate, who scored a spectacular own goal before being dismissed on his first Real Madrid outing in 2005.