HEADLINERS AT COMMONWEALTH GAMES
A Few Of The Gold Medals!
Leon Baptiste, Athletics.
Tom Daley x2, Diving.
Rebecca Adlington x2, Swimming.
Liam Tancock x2, Swimming.
Fran Halsall, Swimming.
James Goddard, Swimming.
Imogen Cairns, Gymnastics.
Luke Folwell, Gymnastics.
Andy Turner, Athletics.
Steve Walton, Shooting.
FOOTBALL
· Ian Holloway is given a touchline ban after his altercation with a referee.
· Liverpool’s bidders are turned down by RBS as the Scouse club are left in further turmoil.
Internationals
Tuesday 12th October
European Championship Qualifying
Azerbaijan 1 - 0 Turkey
Kazakhstan 0 - 3 Germany
Belgium 4 - 4 Austria
Armenia 4 - 0 Andorra
Slovakia 1 - 1 Rep of Ireland
FYR Macedonia 0 - 1 Russia
Faroe Islands 1 - 1 Northern Ireland
Estonia 0 - 1 Slovenia
Belarus 2 - 0 Albania
France 2 - 0 Luxembourg
Finland 1 - 2 Hungary
San Marino 0 - 2 Moldova
Holland 4 - 1 Sweden
Latvia 1 - 1 Georgia
Greece 2 - 1 Israel
Switzerland 4 - 1 Wales
England 0 - 0 Montenegro
Denmark 2 - 0 Cyprus
Iceland 1 - 3 Portugal
Liechtenstein 0 - 2 Czech Republic
European Championship Qualifying
France 2 - 0 Romania
Israel 1 - 2 Croatia
Kazakhstan 0 - 2 Belgium
Austria 3 - 0 Azerbaijan
Germany 3 - 0 Turkey
Armenia 3 - 1 Slovakia
Andorra 0 - 2 FYR Macedonia
Rep of Ireland 2 - 3 Russia
Serbia 1 - 3 Estonia
Northern Ireland 0 - 0 Italy
Slovenia 5 - 1 Faroe Islands
Luxembourg 0 - 0 Belarus
Albania 1 - 1 Bosnia-Herzegovina
Hungary 8 - 0 San Marino
Moldova 0 - 1 Holland
Georgia 1 - 0 Malta
Greece 1 - 0 Latvia
Montenegro 1 - 0 Switzerland
Wales 0 - 1 Bulgaria
Cyprus 1 - 2 Norway
France 2 - 0 Romania
F1
· Vettel takes pole and victory at Suzuka as the Championship starts to turn into a 3-horse race between Mark Webber, Fernando Alonso and Vettel himself. Webber was 2nd, with Alonso 3rd as 14 points separate the 3 with three races remaining.
TENNIS
· Novak Djokovic retained his ATP China Open Title as he disposed of David Ferrer in 2 sets.
· Caroline Wozniacki enjoyed a great week as she become World No.1 as well as winning the ATP China Open Title dispatching Vera Zvonerava 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.
BOXING
· New Commonwealth Heavyweight Champion Derek “Del Boy” Chisora has accepted a fight with Wladimir Klitschko in Germany on 11th December. If victories the Londoner would then face Wladimir’s brother Vitali.
· Devon Alexander and Tim Bradley are set to fight on 29th January in a WBC, IBF and WBO World Light-Welterweight Unification bout with the winner likely to fight Amir Khan.
· Michael Sprott claimed the Prizefighter Heavyweight Crown after beating Matt Skelton on a split decision at York Hall, Bethnal Green.
· James DeGale is set to take on British Super-Middleweight Champion Paul Smith in Liverpool on 14th December.
· Frank Warren is putting together another boxing showpiece for his 30th anniversary of boxing. Kel Brook, Matt Macklin and Nathan Cleverly are set to be appearing.
CRICKET
· India have wrapped up a 2-0 series victory over Australia with a win in Bangalore.
Australia 478allout – M. North 128, R. Ponting 77, T. Paine 59, S. Watson 57. Singh 4-128.
India 495allout – S. Tendulkar 214, M. Vijay 139. M. Johnson 3-105.
Australia 223allout – R. Ponting 72. Z. Khan 3-41, Oija 3-57.
India 207/3 – C. Pujara 72, S. Tendulkar 53*.
INDIA WIN BY 7 WICKETS!
Showing posts with label International Football.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label International Football.. Show all posts
Friday, 15 October 2010
Friday, 10 September 2010
ENGLAND GIVE IT THE BASLE DAZZLE!
England 3 - 1 Switzerland
Rooney 10’ Shiqiri 71’
A Johnson 69’
Bent 88’
This was a night many predicted to be the toughest England would face on their fixture list for the European Championships. This was a Swiss team that defeated Spain at the World Cup and that also have a reputation for being miserly. On top of this, they have plenty of attacking talent in the form of midfield creator Gokhan Inler, goal-scoring striker Frei, and youngster Shiqiri.
With the score at 2-0, the latter gave England a kick up the backside with a pearler of a strike from 25 yards as Jo Hart was beaten. It was a night where he looked deciedly shakier than he has before in spite of the fact he twice saw fit to wait before the Swiss striker had closed him down to within one metre.
In the England team there was only one enforced change with Dawson out through injury being replaced by Man City’s Joleon Lescott. With Ashley Cole making his 85th cap and Fabio Capello his 30th, England were looking to give each something to remember.
England, as they had against Bulgaria, started brightly, using the right flank plenty to expose Ziegler against the rapidity that is Theo Walcott. Ziegler would not have to worry about this particular menace for long though. With 10 minutes gone, Walcott played Glen Johnson on the over-lap. Johnson then cut the ball back across for Rooney to finish strongly from close range to make a dire week of heinous allegations have a silver lining of sorts with his 26th international goal.
However, whilst the England boys were celebrating, Walcott was on the floor writhing in pain. It transpired that he had been caught by one of the Swiss defenders as he dummied the ball that found Rooney and caught an ankle injury that will see him out of action for about 5 weeks. With Ziegler likely blowing a slight sigh of relieve that Walcott was not to torture him any longer as the stretcher took him off, he would sound have re-drawn breath as Adam Johnson strode to the field as replacement.
With 20 minutes gone England had taken control, having had 59% of the possession and a goal’s advantage that was nearly doubled when Gerrard played a crisp through ball that Defoe could not quite manage to bring under his touch. Three minutes later Defoe missed a chance when Johnson beat Ziegler with great skill to deliver across for the Tottenham striker to scoop the strike as he leant back.
As the England fans sang proudly and raucously, their team were maintaining their performance. Ashley Cole, ever marauding, delivered a ball across, and with Defoe closing in again, the ball took a telling deflection to knock it out of his path with the goal gaping.
After a narrowly wide effort from Adam Johnson, Switzerland began to put pressure on with 10 minutes remaining in the half. They kept the ball around the England area, waiting for a gap to appear. They managed to win a wide free-kick from this pressure, but the danger passed.
Defoe worked himself another chance brilliantly, as he shifted his marker and turned to sting Benaglio’s hands. On the half time mark, Adam Johnson was causing trouble yet again as he made a defence-slicing run to play in Rooney. Rooney then went round the keeper, but took the ball too wide.
Again like against Bulgaria, England probably deserved to have increased their one goal margin by half time, but had not managed to. This could be something they will want to look into as against higher opposition they may get punished.
Glen Johnson had Benaglio scrapping to palm round his post as he cut in on his left foot as he likes to and hit a strong effort on the hour. Hart then started to look off form as he spilled a couple of easy takes, fortunately with no consequences. Seeing this, Switzerland started re-applying a little pressure. Frei managed to chop across a cross to no avail as no one got onto the end of it.
This strain was lifted as Lichtsteiner received his marching orders after a rash tackle on James Milner earned him his second yellow of the game. After an injury-stricken Defoe was replaced by Bent, England responded to this impetus change almost immediately. Steven Gerrard, who enjoyed a quieter game going forward than usual, played a wonderful through ball to Adam Johnson, with supreme coolness and confidence, Johnson then rounded the keeper and finished with his left foot to make it 2-0.
Despite the loss of a man and the concession of a goal, this was the moment youngster Shiqiri decided to produce the game’s piece of magic. 25 yards out from Jo Hart’s net, he decided to cut in to his left foot and let a rocket go, one that cannoned into the top corner of the England net and one that left Hart chanceless.
With the scores at 2-1, England wanted a goal to make sure of their victory. With four minutes to go, Shaun Wright-Phillips (who had replaced Rooney 5 minutes earlier) beat the offside trap with Bent waiting for the square back. Wright-Phillips failed to deliver a strong enough pass and delivered one that was instead intercepted.
Bent put Wright-Phillips’ mistake right with 2 minutes on the clock as he was played in by a good Ashley Cole ball and finished fiercely inside Benaglio’s near post.
England had secured another 3 points, and hold a 100% record in their qualifying group. It was a performance that Steven Gerrard summed up by saying “We just tore them apart and (after all his bad press) Wayne was terrific”. It was indeed good to see Rooney score after a year-long blank patch. This victory will instil yet more confidence into the team and the fans and hopefully will propel them along Group G.
Rooney 10’ Shiqiri 71’
A Johnson 69’
Bent 88’
This was a night many predicted to be the toughest England would face on their fixture list for the European Championships. This was a Swiss team that defeated Spain at the World Cup and that also have a reputation for being miserly. On top of this, they have plenty of attacking talent in the form of midfield creator Gokhan Inler, goal-scoring striker Frei, and youngster Shiqiri.
With the score at 2-0, the latter gave England a kick up the backside with a pearler of a strike from 25 yards as Jo Hart was beaten. It was a night where he looked deciedly shakier than he has before in spite of the fact he twice saw fit to wait before the Swiss striker had closed him down to within one metre.
In the England team there was only one enforced change with Dawson out through injury being replaced by Man City’s Joleon Lescott. With Ashley Cole making his 85th cap and Fabio Capello his 30th, England were looking to give each something to remember.
England, as they had against Bulgaria, started brightly, using the right flank plenty to expose Ziegler against the rapidity that is Theo Walcott. Ziegler would not have to worry about this particular menace for long though. With 10 minutes gone, Walcott played Glen Johnson on the over-lap. Johnson then cut the ball back across for Rooney to finish strongly from close range to make a dire week of heinous allegations have a silver lining of sorts with his 26th international goal.
However, whilst the England boys were celebrating, Walcott was on the floor writhing in pain. It transpired that he had been caught by one of the Swiss defenders as he dummied the ball that found Rooney and caught an ankle injury that will see him out of action for about 5 weeks. With Ziegler likely blowing a slight sigh of relieve that Walcott was not to torture him any longer as the stretcher took him off, he would sound have re-drawn breath as Adam Johnson strode to the field as replacement.
With 20 minutes gone England had taken control, having had 59% of the possession and a goal’s advantage that was nearly doubled when Gerrard played a crisp through ball that Defoe could not quite manage to bring under his touch. Three minutes later Defoe missed a chance when Johnson beat Ziegler with great skill to deliver across for the Tottenham striker to scoop the strike as he leant back.
As the England fans sang proudly and raucously, their team were maintaining their performance. Ashley Cole, ever marauding, delivered a ball across, and with Defoe closing in again, the ball took a telling deflection to knock it out of his path with the goal gaping.
After a narrowly wide effort from Adam Johnson, Switzerland began to put pressure on with 10 minutes remaining in the half. They kept the ball around the England area, waiting for a gap to appear. They managed to win a wide free-kick from this pressure, but the danger passed.
Defoe worked himself another chance brilliantly, as he shifted his marker and turned to sting Benaglio’s hands. On the half time mark, Adam Johnson was causing trouble yet again as he made a defence-slicing run to play in Rooney. Rooney then went round the keeper, but took the ball too wide.
Again like against Bulgaria, England probably deserved to have increased their one goal margin by half time, but had not managed to. This could be something they will want to look into as against higher opposition they may get punished.
Glen Johnson had Benaglio scrapping to palm round his post as he cut in on his left foot as he likes to and hit a strong effort on the hour. Hart then started to look off form as he spilled a couple of easy takes, fortunately with no consequences. Seeing this, Switzerland started re-applying a little pressure. Frei managed to chop across a cross to no avail as no one got onto the end of it.
This strain was lifted as Lichtsteiner received his marching orders after a rash tackle on James Milner earned him his second yellow of the game. After an injury-stricken Defoe was replaced by Bent, England responded to this impetus change almost immediately. Steven Gerrard, who enjoyed a quieter game going forward than usual, played a wonderful through ball to Adam Johnson, with supreme coolness and confidence, Johnson then rounded the keeper and finished with his left foot to make it 2-0.
Despite the loss of a man and the concession of a goal, this was the moment youngster Shiqiri decided to produce the game’s piece of magic. 25 yards out from Jo Hart’s net, he decided to cut in to his left foot and let a rocket go, one that cannoned into the top corner of the England net and one that left Hart chanceless.
With the scores at 2-1, England wanted a goal to make sure of their victory. With four minutes to go, Shaun Wright-Phillips (who had replaced Rooney 5 minutes earlier) beat the offside trap with Bent waiting for the square back. Wright-Phillips failed to deliver a strong enough pass and delivered one that was instead intercepted.
Bent put Wright-Phillips’ mistake right with 2 minutes on the clock as he was played in by a good Ashley Cole ball and finished fiercely inside Benaglio’s near post.
England had secured another 3 points, and hold a 100% record in their qualifying group. It was a performance that Steven Gerrard summed up by saying “We just tore them apart and (after all his bad press) Wayne was terrific”. It was indeed good to see Rooney score after a year-long blank patch. This victory will instil yet more confidence into the team and the fans and hopefully will propel them along Group G.
Thursday, 9 September 2010
SPORTING NEWS OF THE WEEK 5
FOOTBALL
· Theo Walcott, Michael Dawson and Jermain Defoe all pick up injuries on international duty as England win twice, ruling them all out for at least 6 weeks.
· Robin Van Persie’s ankle injury is to keep him out for 6 more weeks.
· John Toshack is sacked as manager of Wales.
· Gerard Houllier is set to take over the reins at Villa Park.
CRICKET
· Eoin Morgan and Michael Yardy are main stars as England cruise to victory against Pakistan in both T20’s.
· Somerset are due to play Essex in the first Clydesdale Bank 40/40 semi-final, with Yorkshire and Warwickshire contesting the other.
GOLF
· After much speculation, Tiger Woods is handed a wildcard for the Ryder Cup by captain Corey Pavin along side; Zach Johnson, Stewart Cink and Rickie Fowler.
TENNIS
· Novak Djokovic will take on Roger Federer in the First US Open semi-final after the Serbian defeated; Troicki, Petzschner, Blake and Fish. Federer beat; Dabul, Beck, Matthieu and Melzer to find his spot in the semi. The other two quarter finals are between; Wawrinka v Youzhny and Nadal vs Verdasco.
BOXING
· Audley Harrison and David Haye agree terms for a World Heavyweight Championship bout for the first all-British title fight in this weight range for 17 years.
· Ricky Burns defeated Roman Martinez in a unanimous points victory to claim the WBO Super-Featherweight Title in Glasgow.
FORMULA ONE
· Theo Walcott, Michael Dawson and Jermain Defoe all pick up injuries on international duty as England win twice, ruling them all out for at least 6 weeks.
· Robin Van Persie’s ankle injury is to keep him out for 6 more weeks.
· John Toshack is sacked as manager of Wales.
· Gerard Houllier is set to take over the reins at Villa Park.
CRICKET
· Eoin Morgan and Michael Yardy are main stars as England cruise to victory against Pakistan in both T20’s.
· Somerset are due to play Essex in the first Clydesdale Bank 40/40 semi-final, with Yorkshire and Warwickshire contesting the other.
GOLF
· After much speculation, Tiger Woods is handed a wildcard for the Ryder Cup by captain Corey Pavin along side; Zach Johnson, Stewart Cink and Rickie Fowler.
TENNIS
· Novak Djokovic will take on Roger Federer in the First US Open semi-final after the Serbian defeated; Troicki, Petzschner, Blake and Fish. Federer beat; Dabul, Beck, Matthieu and Melzer to find his spot in the semi. The other two quarter finals are between; Wawrinka v Youzhny and Nadal vs Verdasco.
BOXING
· Audley Harrison and David Haye agree terms for a World Heavyweight Championship bout for the first all-British title fight in this weight range for 17 years.
· Ricky Burns defeated Roman Martinez in a unanimous points victory to claim the WBO Super-Featherweight Title in Glasgow.
FORMULA ONE
- Ferrari manage to dodge charge of team orders in use after FIA investigation.
Sunday, 5 September 2010
RAMPANT DEFOE HAT-TRICK HERO AS ENGLAND EXPECTS
England 4 - 0 Bulgaria
Defoe 3’, 61’, 86’
A Johnson 83’
England came into this game knowing that they had to not only win back the England fans’ faith, but also win back faith in themselves after a forgettable World Cup summer. The New Wembley definitely seems to have turned itself into England’s home – bad atmosphere or not – with this victory bringing an 11th consecutive England home win, a new record no less.
With Capello still trying to bring a new look to the England team, there were plenty of fresh faces that had not gone (or if they had gone, not played much part) to South Africa, with the team-sheet reading as follows; GK- Joe Hart, RB- Glen Johnson, CB- Phil Jagielka, CB- Michael Dawson, LB- Ashley Cole, RWF- Theo Walcott, CM- Gareth Barry, CM- Steven Gerrard (C), LWF- James Milner, SS- Wayne Rooney, CF- Jermain Defoe. This team included the youngest centre back pairing that England has seen in many years, ageing at 54 between them. With John Terry and Ferdinand out injured though, they were not the main surprises in the line-up. That honour went instead to Jermain Defoe, who was about to prove any of his or Fabio Capello’s critics highly mistaken.
The England side, in yet another new kit, looked the part as a good 8 of them saw fit to sing the national anthem, showing at least some of them have some national pride when it comes to representing their country at such a high level with so much attention put on them.
It did not take them long to show that they were the business as well with Defoe – whose role of playing off the last defender allowed Rooney a more free, play-making role in between the Bulgarian midfield and defence – scoring in the 3rd minute after Rooney’s chipped through ball found an advanced Ashley Cole, whose shot was denied by Mihailov but rebounded straight out to him. He looked up, seeing Defoe and crossed to him for Defoe to put England ahead at ease.
Unfortunately there were a few wild challenges that went in throughout the game; Gerrard was the first victim, his shin-pad saving him following a studs up tackle that went unpunished. New Man City signing James Milner also took a worryingly intention looking elbow from the Bulgarian right-back as he attacked the by-line, again no card was given but if judged differently the winger could have been given his marching orders. The worst of all however, did not manifest itself from a bad tackle, but when Michael Dawson’s left knee buckled underneath him in the 56th minute, it was clear it was going to end in him being stretchered from the field. This duly happened and will worry Harry Redknapp to no end, especially when Jermain Defoe – who had cancelled a groin operation to play – pulled up after his last goal. A worry Redknapp could do without as Tottenham attempt to juggle the Premier and Champions League for the first time in their history.
The Bulgarian’s, whilst coming back into the game, were constantly under threat from England’s main problem-causers’; Gerrard, Rooney through the middle and Walcott and Cole on the flanks. Walcott fresh from his superb start to the League season, had a shot go wide and a cut back cross go un-received. He also managed to beat two men and have an acute chip palmed over by Mihailov and from the following corner whipped in a low cross that the Bulgarian stopper awkwardly grabbed. On the opposite wing, Milner similarly cut in and had a scathing shot deflected just wide 5 minutes short of half time. At the other end, Glen Johnson almost managed to put through his own net after 20 minutes as a mis-kick from a cross fortunately made its way safely to Joe Hart.
The crisp, sharp and mostly entertaining football that England were providing the 73,200 that had assembled in the stands. With Rooney working the hardest he has in a long time and Gerrard creating masterfully, they deserved a second goal, one that did not come about before the half time whistle.
If anyone had been accusing England of slightly slowing down their tempo following the goal, they certainly started to re-apply the pace after the break. They nearly struck as early as they had in the first half, with Defoe winning a good knockdown to Rooney, who proceeded forth with the ball at his feet and attempted an audacious chip that had the keeper scrambling back to push it over the bar.
To say that this match was one sided would be a fair description, but the duo of Popov and ex-Man City striker Valeri Bojinov provided the England back-line with a couple of probing questions. Popov crept in behind after a long goal-kick went over Dawson and aimed his shot wide. Five minutes later, on the hour, Hart was forced into a good save from Martin Petrov after a Bulgarian corner. Hart then sprung the ball forward and the resulting counter-attack culminated in Rooney – with Defoe to his left and Walcott to his right – slid in Defoe who in-turn slid under Mihailov to double his – and England’s – tally.
A wide Steven Gerrard free-kick almost unlocked the Bulgarian defence again, but the ball resisted to find any touches and instead went just past the outside of the post. Hart then pulled off his best save of the match, employing the classic starfish position to his advantage to deny the Bulgarian’s. Gary Cahill – who had replaced Dawson after his injury - then deflected the 25 yard effort that occurred as a result of Hart’s save.
With 15 minutes remaining in the match, Theo Walcott was replaced by Man City’s young superstar, Adam Johnson. Walcott now has 13 international appearances to his name and has been on the winning side in all of those, England’s lucky charm perhaps? Or simply the sign of a player that has never made a World Cup or European Championships showing for his country. After Gerrard had a 25 yard blast palmed narrowly out of the path of Jermain Defoe as he closed in on the rebound.
In the 81st minute, Adam Johnson managed to curl a shot narrowly wide with his left foot after another attack laid on from a good Rooney pass. Two minutes later a similar such chance presented itself to Johnson after Rooney and Defoe had stretched the defence with a quick switch from left to right, Johnson once again cut in and smashed near post.
The icing was put on the cake when Defoe finalised his hat-trcik with a good counter attack, spearheaded by United’s talisman once more, he played Defoe in for a brilliant cross goal finish with his left foot. This was the unfortunate moment Defoe felt pain in his leg, and replays showed an awkward stretch of his ankle. He could play no further part, nor did he need to and was quickly replaced by Ashley Young.
The final whistle blew on a successful England showing, one that will somewhat make up for recent matches, the Wembley crowd seemed highly satiated as they departed the stands. This will lead, no doubt, to much bigger hype surrounding their next match - a visit to Switzerland on Tuesday night – to see whether they can repeat such victory against a team of slightly higher standing than the one that ranks in between Scotland and Burkina Faso under FIFA’s rating system.
Other International Scores
Group A
Belgium 0 - 1 Germany
Klose 51'
Kazakhstan 0 - 3 Turkey
Arda Turan 24'
Hamit Altintop 26'
Nihat 76'
Group B
Andorra 0 - 2 Russia
Pogrebnyak 14', 64'(pen)
Armenia 0 - 1 Republic of Ireland
Fahey 76'
Slovakia 1 - 0 FYR Macedonia
Holosko 90'
Group C
Estonia 1 - 2 Italy
Zenjov 29' Cassano 59'
Bonucci 62'
Faroe Islands 0 - 3 Serbia
Lazovic 13'
Stankovic 18'
Zigic 90'
Slovenia 0 - 1 Northern Ireland
C. Evans 70'
Group D
Luxembourg 0 - 3 Bosnia
Ibricic 6'
Pjanic 12'
Zigic 15'
Romania 1 - 1 Albania
Stancu 80' Muzaka 88'
France 0 - 1 Belarus
Kisliak 86'
Defoe 3’, 61’, 86’
A Johnson 83’
England came into this game knowing that they had to not only win back the England fans’ faith, but also win back faith in themselves after a forgettable World Cup summer. The New Wembley definitely seems to have turned itself into England’s home – bad atmosphere or not – with this victory bringing an 11th consecutive England home win, a new record no less.
With Capello still trying to bring a new look to the England team, there were plenty of fresh faces that had not gone (or if they had gone, not played much part) to South Africa, with the team-sheet reading as follows; GK- Joe Hart, RB- Glen Johnson, CB- Phil Jagielka, CB- Michael Dawson, LB- Ashley Cole, RWF- Theo Walcott, CM- Gareth Barry, CM- Steven Gerrard (C), LWF- James Milner, SS- Wayne Rooney, CF- Jermain Defoe. This team included the youngest centre back pairing that England has seen in many years, ageing at 54 between them. With John Terry and Ferdinand out injured though, they were not the main surprises in the line-up. That honour went instead to Jermain Defoe, who was about to prove any of his or Fabio Capello’s critics highly mistaken.
The England side, in yet another new kit, looked the part as a good 8 of them saw fit to sing the national anthem, showing at least some of them have some national pride when it comes to representing their country at such a high level with so much attention put on them.
It did not take them long to show that they were the business as well with Defoe – whose role of playing off the last defender allowed Rooney a more free, play-making role in between the Bulgarian midfield and defence – scoring in the 3rd minute after Rooney’s chipped through ball found an advanced Ashley Cole, whose shot was denied by Mihailov but rebounded straight out to him. He looked up, seeing Defoe and crossed to him for Defoe to put England ahead at ease.
Unfortunately there were a few wild challenges that went in throughout the game; Gerrard was the first victim, his shin-pad saving him following a studs up tackle that went unpunished. New Man City signing James Milner also took a worryingly intention looking elbow from the Bulgarian right-back as he attacked the by-line, again no card was given but if judged differently the winger could have been given his marching orders. The worst of all however, did not manifest itself from a bad tackle, but when Michael Dawson’s left knee buckled underneath him in the 56th minute, it was clear it was going to end in him being stretchered from the field. This duly happened and will worry Harry Redknapp to no end, especially when Jermain Defoe – who had cancelled a groin operation to play – pulled up after his last goal. A worry Redknapp could do without as Tottenham attempt to juggle the Premier and Champions League for the first time in their history.
The Bulgarian’s, whilst coming back into the game, were constantly under threat from England’s main problem-causers’; Gerrard, Rooney through the middle and Walcott and Cole on the flanks. Walcott fresh from his superb start to the League season, had a shot go wide and a cut back cross go un-received. He also managed to beat two men and have an acute chip palmed over by Mihailov and from the following corner whipped in a low cross that the Bulgarian stopper awkwardly grabbed. On the opposite wing, Milner similarly cut in and had a scathing shot deflected just wide 5 minutes short of half time. At the other end, Glen Johnson almost managed to put through his own net after 20 minutes as a mis-kick from a cross fortunately made its way safely to Joe Hart.
The crisp, sharp and mostly entertaining football that England were providing the 73,200 that had assembled in the stands. With Rooney working the hardest he has in a long time and Gerrard creating masterfully, they deserved a second goal, one that did not come about before the half time whistle.
If anyone had been accusing England of slightly slowing down their tempo following the goal, they certainly started to re-apply the pace after the break. They nearly struck as early as they had in the first half, with Defoe winning a good knockdown to Rooney, who proceeded forth with the ball at his feet and attempted an audacious chip that had the keeper scrambling back to push it over the bar.
To say that this match was one sided would be a fair description, but the duo of Popov and ex-Man City striker Valeri Bojinov provided the England back-line with a couple of probing questions. Popov crept in behind after a long goal-kick went over Dawson and aimed his shot wide. Five minutes later, on the hour, Hart was forced into a good save from Martin Petrov after a Bulgarian corner. Hart then sprung the ball forward and the resulting counter-attack culminated in Rooney – with Defoe to his left and Walcott to his right – slid in Defoe who in-turn slid under Mihailov to double his – and England’s – tally.
A wide Steven Gerrard free-kick almost unlocked the Bulgarian defence again, but the ball resisted to find any touches and instead went just past the outside of the post. Hart then pulled off his best save of the match, employing the classic starfish position to his advantage to deny the Bulgarian’s. Gary Cahill – who had replaced Dawson after his injury - then deflected the 25 yard effort that occurred as a result of Hart’s save.
With 15 minutes remaining in the match, Theo Walcott was replaced by Man City’s young superstar, Adam Johnson. Walcott now has 13 international appearances to his name and has been on the winning side in all of those, England’s lucky charm perhaps? Or simply the sign of a player that has never made a World Cup or European Championships showing for his country. After Gerrard had a 25 yard blast palmed narrowly out of the path of Jermain Defoe as he closed in on the rebound.
In the 81st minute, Adam Johnson managed to curl a shot narrowly wide with his left foot after another attack laid on from a good Rooney pass. Two minutes later a similar such chance presented itself to Johnson after Rooney and Defoe had stretched the defence with a quick switch from left to right, Johnson once again cut in and smashed near post.
The icing was put on the cake when Defoe finalised his hat-trcik with a good counter attack, spearheaded by United’s talisman once more, he played Defoe in for a brilliant cross goal finish with his left foot. This was the unfortunate moment Defoe felt pain in his leg, and replays showed an awkward stretch of his ankle. He could play no further part, nor did he need to and was quickly replaced by Ashley Young.
The final whistle blew on a successful England showing, one that will somewhat make up for recent matches, the Wembley crowd seemed highly satiated as they departed the stands. This will lead, no doubt, to much bigger hype surrounding their next match - a visit to Switzerland on Tuesday night – to see whether they can repeat such victory against a team of slightly higher standing than the one that ranks in between Scotland and Burkina Faso under FIFA’s rating system.
Other International Scores
Group A
Belgium 0 - 1 Germany
Klose 51'
Kazakhstan 0 - 3 Turkey
Arda Turan 24'
Hamit Altintop 26'
Nihat 76'
Group B
Andorra 0 - 2 Russia
Pogrebnyak 14', 64'(pen)
Armenia 0 - 1 Republic of Ireland
Fahey 76'
Slovakia 1 - 0 FYR Macedonia
Holosko 90'
Group C
Estonia 1 - 2 Italy
Zenjov 29' Cassano 59'
Bonucci 62'
Faroe Islands 0 - 3 Serbia
Lazovic 13'
Stankovic 18'
Zigic 90'
Slovenia 0 - 1 Northern Ireland
C. Evans 70'
Group D
Luxembourg 0 - 3 Bosnia
Ibricic 6'
Pjanic 12'
Zigic 15'
Romania 1 - 1 Albania
Stancu 80' Muzaka 88'
France 0 - 1 Belarus
Kisliak 86'
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