Rebuilding England Take Euro Revenge

England   2           Italy   1

                                       Jagielka  27                                       De Rossi  15 

                                       Defoe  80

 

After the vast success of team GB in the last two weeks England’s footballers gave yet more satisfaction amongst the sporting public, as Roy Hodgson’s new look side fought back  to claim sweet revenge over a forceful Italian team who were England’s conquerors in the recent European Championships.

Only Ashley Young’s name remained on the team sheet which suffered the heart breaking defeat to the hands of the Italians just 52 days ago as both sides fielded more youthful teams, many with a point to prove.

Manchester United’s Tom Cleverly was handed his first cap for his country as Hodgson switched to a 4-2-3-1 formation, providing an extra body in midfield along with the recalled experience of Frank Lampard and Michel Carrick.

Jack Butland impressed many at the recent Olympic tournament and at only nineteen the Birmingham shot stopper who is yet to play at even Championship level became the youngest goalkeeper to win a full England cap.However just fourteen minutes later Butland found himself removing the ball from the net after Alessandro Diamanti's corner was met by Italy captain Daniele De Rossi out jumping Carrick to guide the ball past the stranded keeper.

Nevertheless Hodgson’s side did not panic as they drew level just twelve minutes later after Adam Johnson and Kyle Walker’s pace combined to force a corner allowing England to take a set piece of their own, when Lampard’s delivery found the brave head of Phil Jagielka who dived down low to glance his header across the goal into the bottom right corner.

England looked more settled after the goal, keeping more possession of the ball and controlling the tempo something many believe was a downfall at the Euros. The Italian's remained a threat though with De Rossi’s long passes causing problems for the England defence.

At half time Hodgson replaced Butland to give another debut this time to Norwich keeper John Ruddy. While Jermain Defoe was also introduced replacing Andy Carroll whose lack of service made it difficult to get involved.

Ruddy missed the Euros with a broken finger but sprang quickly into action denying
Mattia Destro whose quick movement proved a problem but wasteful finishing from the Italian prevented his side taking the lead.

After the hour mark Hodgson’s substitutions helped to take the sting out of the Italians attack giving them more to think about in defence. James Milner looked a threat after coming on putting the ball in dangerous positions in the Italian area.

But the winning moment came ten minutes from time when from their own corner Italy were quickly caught out after substitute Ryan Bertrand cleared off the line before a quick counter attack led by Milner finding Defoe who cut inside of the defender and unleashed a shot from the edge of the area worthy of winning any football match.

Hodgson later said “ It gave a chance to have a look at some new players and give some of the players who played at the Euros a rest”. England’s next match will be away to Moldova on the 7^th of September as they look to qualify for the world cup in Brazil in 2014.
　
　

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

Robben Ruins England Fightback

Arjen Robben’s injury time strike denied England a memorable comeback last night, as the three lions finally fell to a 3-2 defeat to Holland under caretaker manager Stuart Pearce at Wembley.  

In their first game since the resignation of Fabio Capello, England went toe to toe with a more experienced Dutch side throughout the first half. But two goals in as many minutes from Robben and Klaas Jan Huntelaar indicated a lack of leadership in the England defence. However the home side fought back, and looked to have rescued a remarkable draw with goals from Gary Cahill and Ashley Young in the last 6 minutes. Only for Robben to silence the Wembley crowd with a world class finish.   

The first half saw England nearly make the perfect start, when Cahill’s header crept over the bar on 7 minutes. After that both sides struggled to break down the other, with two holding midfield players on either side cancelling each other out.

But it was Holland who started to push for the opening goal, as the ever-present threat of Robben produced an early save out of Hart. While Robin Van-Persie blazed his shot over the bar after some quick one touch football presented the first real opening.        

Robben's late strike was at England's expence

The hosts were forced to withdraw Steven Gerrard with just half an hour played, the Liverpool skipper troubled by a hamstring problem, as he struggled to get in the game. However Gerrard’s absence presented a second cap for in form Daniel Sturridge and the Chelsea striker made an immediate impact, as his early second half shot was parried away by Dutch keeper Maarten Stekelenburg to keep the score level.

But an inexperienced England were handed a killer blow on 57 minutes, as Robben showed his pace and power, to capitalise on the space presented on the break before unleashing a unstoppable shot past the stranded Hart.

The Dutch then looked quickly out of sight, as just seconds later Dirk Kuyt was left too much space on the right and his inviting ball was met by the head of Huntelaar to put the visitors in full control. Both Huntelaar and Chris Smalling had to be replaced, after a clash of heads when going for the ball, with the England centre back stretchered off for his dedicated bravery.  

Despite to two goal deficit England still had chances Stewart Downing’s volley flashed wide while Sturridge wasted the chance of the game, as he only found the gloves of Stekelenburg from 8 yards out.

The hosts finally found the net 6 minutes from time when a Leighton Baines pass opened the Dutch defence to find an out of position Cahill who added his second ever goal in an England shirt. A draw then looked to be  rescued, after Phil Jones picked out Ashley Young whose calm finish looked to be the game’s last action. But there was still time for Robben to pull one more trick out of his locker, as his left foot shot deflected off Cahill to earn his side a 3-2 victory.

Match Ratings

Hart   7- Made big save to deny Robben at 0-0 couldn’t do much about any goal  

Richards   7- Looked good when went forward struggled with Robben in first half

Smalling   7- Solid in first half showed bravery before being stretchered off

Cahill   7.5- Solid in first half took goal well drawn away by Huntelaar run for first goal

Baines   7- Allowed Robben too much space for winner pass set up Cahill goal

Barry   7- Kept shape protected back four

Parker (C)   7.5- Big night as captain brilliant with blocks and tackles in first half a few errors in second half though

Gerrard   5.5- Taken off early hamstring problem struggled to get in the game

Johnson   7- Pace looked one of England’s only weapons in first half

Young   7- Quiet night but alert for goal took it well  

Welbeck   6.5- struggled to get involved isolated at times

Subs

Sturridge   7.5- Biggest threat when came on showed pace and shooting ability missed good chance in second half

Milner   6.5- Came on at half time struggle with Dutch attacking threat  

Downing    6- Left foot sometime looked a danger

Jones   6- Assist for second goal after replacing Smalling

Campbell   5.5- Gained valuable experience on first cap