Roy's Reign Begins

Norway   0     England   1

                                       Young  9

It was far from the most dominate game of football you will ever see, but a positive result for new England boss Roy Hodgson on Saturday night left reasons for satisfaction at the Ullevaal Stadium in Norway. Despite a low-key event Hodgson seized the chance to try different options, not least in the attacking area, before the opening game of euro 2012 in Donetsk next month.

The opening minutes saw England happy to concede early possession with the threat of a goal on the break, which is exactly what happened with nine minutes on the clock. After Hodgson’s decision to pair Ashley Young with Liverpool’s Andy Carroll was rewarded as they combined to produce the decisive goal on the night. When £35 million striker Carroll used his strength advantage to release the quick feet of Young who skipped past Fulham defender Brede Hangeland with ease before a cool finish gave him his fourth goal in as many games for England.

Four goals in four England games for Ashley Young

After that the visitors remained resilient and tough to beat, a trait familiar to Hodgson’s previous teams, while the pace of Young continued to cause difficulties for Norway. At that time England, in the ascendency could have doubled their lead with half an hour played when James Milner broke clear only for his tame shot to be denied by Rune Jarstein.

But that was as good as it got for Hodgson as he watched his new side fade before half time, making too many errors and getting sloppy in possession.

In the second half England never reached great highs in quality but continued to be solid giving few clear cut chances to the Norwegian side. Captain Steven Gerrard’s removal at half time also took also took the sting out of the England’s attacks. While Gerrard’s replacement Garth Barry suffered a pivotal groin injury which will now rule him out of the tournament.

However Hodgson did get the chance to give the bright future of seventeen year old Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain his first cap. While Barry’s likely replacement, before the official squad announcement next week, Jordan Henderson also got on the field.

So overall a positive result for the new boss against an average Norway team.  As he still has a lot to think about before the first Euro game against France on June the 11^th While the final friendly against Belgium is on June the 2^nd.

Player Ratings

Rob Green   6 – Looked a bit nervous early on but keep clean sheet

Phil Jones   6 – Vulnerable at right back to Riise threat

Phil Jagielka   7 – A few sloppy passes towards end of first half but

Joleon Lescott   7 – Solid night but not against best attacking force

Leighton Baines   6.5 – Not much chance to get forward but defended well when called upon

James Milner   6 – Played out wide and in middle of midfield could be valuable member of team with injury’s in that position 

Steven Gerrard   7 – Replaced at half time joined in going forward threat was lost in second half

Scott Parker   7 – Carrying Achilles problem gave good cover for defence before replaced in second half

Stewart Downing   6.5 - Started well left foot looked a danger but faded as match went on

Ashley Young   7.5 – Biggest threat with his pace took goal well

Andy Carroll   6.5 – Worked hard in defence and up front only got one early chance

Subs

Garth Barry   4.5 – Played just under half an hour before taken off and will now miss the tournament

Theo Walcott   5 – Came on in second half could be good weapon for late on in tournament games

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain   5 – Gained valuable experience on first cap not afraid to take people on