With a worrying and eye-opening World Cup 2010 campaign fresh in the collective English memory, England returned to competitive football at Wembley on Friday evening against Bulgaria. The beginning of qualifying for Euro 2012 began - as the World Cup had ended - with a 4-4-2 formation.
Despite the majority of the starting eleven having been in Capello’s favoured selection in South Africa, Steven Gerrard’s move to the centre of midfield, Theo Walcott included and an inexperienced centre back partnership of Michael Dawson and Phil Jagielka, there was a fresh look to the side regardless.
Jermain Defoe gave England the lead inside three minutes. A delightful chip from Wayne Rooney found Ashley Cole, whose second attempt to pull the ball back for the Tottenham Hotspur striker found him on six yards to fire into a gaping goal.
England created a few chances in the first half. Rooney looked lively for spells, as did James Milner and in particular Walcott, but they had to settle for a single goal advantage at the break. At the back, Dawson, Jagielka and goalkeeper Joe Hart were looking every bit the imposing defensive unit and one that could finally see the end of the established order in their positions. Glen Johnson again seemed out of his depth.
Dawson was stretchered off in some pain during the second half to be replaced by Gary Cahill, and the injury appeared potentially quite serious. England’s second goal quickly followed, Defoe finishing neatly at the end of a lightning break that began with a save by Hart and Gareth Barry driving out of defence, and in which Rooney was again instrumental.
At 2-0 England were cruising and the third had an air of inevitability. Having tested his range previously, substitute Adam Johnson found the net with a low shot that wrong-footed the goalkeeper with seven minutes left on the clock. A brilliant Defoe goal secured his hat-trick after another speedy England break and completed a superb second half for Capello’s side and a stellar start to qualifying.
A 4-0 win in the opening match of a campaign like this renders over-analysis downright pointless. Suffice to say that England were, mostly, excellent. Just as importantly, they got the goals and the result to match.
It is worth noting however that for all his obvious talent, Frank Lampard’s absence again worked in England’s favour.
The balance was much better with players offering width on both sides of midfield, and the partnership between Gerrard and Barry in the middle is one that is both effective and intelligent, basing its mechanics on an understanding of the position and between the players than on one being a strictly-defined holding player. On more than one occasion, Gerrard dropped right onto the centre backs to bring the ball out of defence.
All in all, a positive night for England. And how we needed it!
Tags: Adam Johnson, Bulgaria, Jermain Defoe, Match Reports
Nice report. Be very interested to hear Gary’s view on the abysmal Welsh result and how you both see the Eng Vs Wal games going
What Gary thinks of the Welsh result can’t be printed.
Wales were good in spells but it was the same old Wales. No belief and outdated tactics, only starting to play when it was too late.
See that Toshack has now stepped down, which is probably for the best. Interesting times ahead.