Manly slip past Eels

Manly five-eighth Jamie Lyon returned to haunt his former teammates after running in two late tries in the Sea Eagles' 32-24 win over Parramatta on Sunday.

Lyon, returning to Parramatta Stadium for the first time since walking out on the club three years ago, was booed throughout the match by an Eels crowd still hurting by his acrimonious departure.

That he joined bitter rivals Manly only heightened their fury, but Lyon ensured it was he who had the last laugh with tries in the 58th and 71st minutes to turn a 24-20 deficit into a 12-point win in what was a thrilling contest played before a near capacity crowd.

The Sea Eagles trailed 18-8 at the break but two tries in the ten minutes after halftime to Steve Menzies and Brent Kite saw the visitors take a two point lead.

The momentum swung back again when Krisnan Inu, who also kicked four from four - did his best impersonation of Superman to dive over out wide for an Eels lead.

But it was Lyon - the Man of Steel winner for player of the year during his stint in the English Super League - who then stole the show before being serenaded off the ground to chants of "Lyon's a wanker".

The game started at a cracking pace with the sellout crowd seemingly more intent on booing former favourite son Lyon than cheering on their own side.

Perhaps the Eels players were guilty of a similar mindset with the Sea Eagles running in two tries down Eric Grothe's wing, Michael Robertson scoring the first before showing a cool head to pass inside for Brett Stewart to go over millimetres from the corner post.

Feeling a sense of responsibility for the 8-0 deficit, Grothe took it upon himself to get the Eels back in the contest with a powerful run so reminiscent of his famous father with only the facial hair and flowing locks missing.

He brushed aside three defenders to bring the home side back to 8-6 before two tries in the space of four minutes gave Parramatta an 18-8 lead - video referee Bill Harrigan called in to adjudicate on the second to Jarryd Hayne with the suspicion of an obstruction in the lead-up to the try.

Glenn Hall was put on report just before halftime after appearing to drive PJ Marsh's head into the ground, but it is unlikely the Manly prop will be in any trouble with the NRL match review committee.