Chelsea staged a late comeback to earn a 2-2 draw at Reading in a friendly. The Blues, who fielded a strong team including the likes of Petr Cech, Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka, were behind at the break following Jimmy Kebe's strike and a Scott Davies free-kick.

Chelsea were a constant threat and the hosts' defence had done well to keep them at bay, but Salomon Kalou slotted home in the final minute and Reading captain Alex Pearce then turned Florent Malouda's cross into his own net.

Meantime, Stoke City were denied their first pre-season victory by a late equaliser at Derby County. Liam Lawrence's deflected effort had given the Premier League side an early lead, before Stephen Pearson levelled four minutes after the break.

Ricardo Fuller's 65th-minute strike looked to have won the match for Stoke but Arnaud Mendy, who had only come off the bench seconds earlier, equalised in acrobatic fashion, smashing home a stunning scissor-kick to snatch the Championship side a 2-2 draw.

Blackburn Rovers were also held to a 2-2 draw, as Sheffield Wednesday fought back from two goals down at Hillsborough. Ryan Nelsen and Jason Roberts fired the Ewood Park side into what looked to be a comfortable lead after just 21 minutes.

Akpo Sodje got one back for Wednesday moments later, but the visitors could have immediately restored their two-goal cushion had El-Hadji Diouf not seen his spot-kick saved. Marcus Tudgay then drew the Owls level from close range in the second half.

Wigan and Birmingham beaten
Wigan Athletic's preparations for the new Premier League season suffered a setback at Carrow Road, where they lost 3-2 at League One Norwich City, despite twice being ahead. The Latics went in front after just nine minutes through Charles N'Zogbia's cool finish, but the impressive Canaries were back on level terms before the break as Chris Martin side-footed home Jon Otsemobor's cross after some poor defending on the right.

Wigan quickly regained the lead through Cho Won-Hee, who produced a superb finish after being set up by Jason Scotland's clever pass. But the hosts had the final word, quickly equalising through Martin's second goal of the game before grabbing a winner after 76 minutes, when Simon Whaley slipped the ball past keeper Mike Pollitt.

Elsewhere, Nottingham Forest beat Birmingham City 2-1. David McGoldrick put the hosts ahead four minutes before the break, and Robert Earnshaw doubled their lead in the 82nd minute. Lee Carsley pulled one back for the Blues four minutes from time.