Chris Smalling had a debut to forget in the Saudi Pro League as Al-Fayha suffered a crushing 5-0 defeat against Al-Raed. The former Manchester United defender endured a nightmare performance, scoring an own goal and later being sent off—drawing comparisons to Jonathan Woodgate’s infamous Real Madrid debut in 2005.
After five solid years at Roma, where he became a fan favorite and a reliable figure in defense, Smalling made the move to Al-Fayha on a two-year contract this summer. However, his first appearance with the team turned into a disaster, with fans immediately recalling Woodgate’s ill-fated debut, which also featured an own goal and a red card.
The 34-year-old centre-back will now miss Al-Fayha’s upcoming league match against Al-Khaleej due to his suspension. Fortunately, he’ll have a chance for redemption just a few days later when Al-Fayha faces Al-Batin in the King Cup of Champions.
