Aussies Abroad: Ryan sets up dramatic late equaliser on Arsenal home debut

Mat Ryan made his first home league start for Arsenal overnight and played a remarkable role setting up their late equaliser. 

The Socceroos goalkeeper started between the sticks in the Gunners' Premier League clash with Fulham but was powerless in denying Josh Maja's emphatic penalty on the hour mark which granted the visitors the lead. 

However deep into stoppage time and with his side still trailing by the narrowest of margins, Ryan made his way up for a Bukayo Saka corner which he expertly flicked on at the front post. 

The ball fell to Dani Ceballos whose shot was deflected straight into the path of Eddie Nkhetiah; allowing Mikel Arteta's men to snatch a point at the death.

Speaking at his press conference, the Arsenal manager explained how Ryan was highly deserving of his first start since February. 

"I picked him because he totally deserves to play," Arteta told Arsenal post-game. 

"He trains like a beast, he's got the right attitude and he needed a game. 

"He's been really positive around the place, he's doing really well and he deserves a chance."

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In other weekend Aussies Abroad action, Martin Boyle scored a brace, Brad Smith enjoyed a winning start to the season with Seattle Sounders and Kenny Dougall got one over Bailey Wright as two Socceroos locked horns in England.

Boyle registered his 13th and 14th goals of the season as Hibernian reached the Scottish Cup quarter finals with a 4-0 win over Stranraer. 

Two second half goals took the attacker's tally to the highest it has been since joining Hibs, in a game that fellow Socceroo Jackson Irvine also featured. 

In the United States, Smith started and played 82 minutes for Seattle Sounders as they made light work of Minnesota United – with 4-0 the fulltime score.

Four second-half goals saw the Sounders steamroll past Minnesota as they start their MLS campaign in the best way possible.

In England, Dougall earned bragging rights over Wright as his Blackpool edged out Sunderland in their League One affair at Bloomfield Road.

A goal just before the hour mark proved decisive as the Seasiders extended their unbeaten run to 17 matches.

Dougall’s side are now chasing a top-four spot and their win over playoff rivals Sunderland sees them go within three points of the Black Cats who are situated in third.

It turned out to be a disappointing evening for Harry Souttar as he was red carded in the 87th minute for a last-ditch challenge.

Souttar brought down a Preston North End player who was clear on goal but he may have rescued a draw for his side in the process as they escaped with a 0-0 stalemate.

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Riley Mcgree made another start for Birmingham City and played 70 minutes in a tight 1-0 win over Rotheram. 

In Japan, Mitch Langerak’s incredible clean sheet record came to an end on Sunday as his Nagoya Grampus went down 2-1 to third-placed Sagan Tosu.

Two first half goals condemned the Aussie’s side to their first defeat of the season with their 85th-minute goal proving to be pure consolation.

However, they still occupy second position on the ladder and will be hoping to refocus ahead of their next fixture on Thursday.

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Ajdin Hrustic was on the bench for Eintracht Frankfurt as they were soundly beaten 4-1 by Borussia Monchengladbach in their Bundesliga fixture on Saturday.

Despite the defeat, The Eagles remain in fourth with their UEFA Champions League dreams still intact.

Heading to Serbia where Milos Degenek played the full match in the heart of defence for Crvena Zvezda as they won 2-1 against Radnik Surdulica courtesy of an 86th minute winner.

Their 30th win of the season sees them move within touching distance of claiming the championship with just a handful of matches remaining this season.