Dan Kilpatrick
At Wembley
For eighty-five minutes you had to feel sorry for the Troops. Clearly visible in their khaki across a soaking Wembley, they watched with eighty thousand others as England served up another damp squib of a performance. Before the match two young soldiers revealed it had taken them 24 hours to hitch hike to Wembley from their post in Northern Ireland. You would have forgiven them for wishing they’d spent leave at home or in the pub.
A late flurry and another international goal for Peter Crouch papered over the cracks and gave the score-line an air of respectability at 2-1. But in reality England were outplayed for long periods by a French side that can claim to be equally inexperienced.
There was an air of optimism around Wembley before the kick-off. Andy Carroll passed a late fitness test and when the Newcastle United forward embarked on an early dribble, excitement rippled through the terraces. It was clear who the fans had come to see. Too often after that, England resorted to the long ball. Tottenham Hotspur fans will testify how frustrating it is to watch a good passing team go long when there’s a “big man” up front. Pressed by an industrious French midfield, England fell back on this tactic time and again.
It took barely five minutes to realise that, despite unfamiliar names and a dire World Cup, France still ooze quality. Two of the more familiar faces, Nasri and Malouda, were fantastic. Direct and tricky, they threatened every time they got on the ball. England didn’t resist for long. After 15 minutes, Malouda and Benzema exchanged passes and the Real Madrid striker smashed home inside Foster’s near post.
England were afforded no time to settle as France’s front three continued to dazzle. The thought of journeyman Championship striker Jay Bothroyd in reserve began to seem laughable. There were glimpses: Carroll headed down for Gerrard to blaze over on 28 minutes, before almost releasing Walcott after a clever step-over. Milner then did well to cross dangerously from the by-line.
France, for all their possession and inventive attacking flair, looked sloppy at the back but they comfortably controlled the first half. Jeers rang through Wembley as England twice went back to Foster in quick succession and the half ended on a tragic-comic note as a Mexican wave was interrupted by the whistle and a chorus of boos.
Capello wrung the changes, introducing Adam Johnson, Ashley Young and Micah Richards at half time. Richards, at right back, immediately did what Jagielka had failed to do for 45 minutes and got in behind the French backline. Johnson looked as lively as ever. Wembley seemed to wonder why they hadn’t started.
England retained their shape but, as is fashionable, left-footed Johnson was deployed on the right with right-footed Young on the opposite flank. It didn’t suit Carroll, who had to wait until the sixty-ninth minute for a headed chance at goal. He must have longed for a Gareth Bale or a David Beckham for supply.
As England probed bluntly, France broke wonderfully and doubled their advantage on fifty-four minutes. The adventurous Sagna got behind club mate Gibbs and crossed for Valbuena to sweep home after Nasri’s air shot. French voices throughout the stadium made themselves heard.
England appeared to rally late on but in truth France had tired. Their defensive sloppiness almost proved costly as a Johnson free kick ran all the way through to Gerrard who headed just over. The brilliant Benzema, who has started just once for Real this season, departed exhausted after 66 minutes along with fellow scorer Valbuena.
Carroll too was replaced to a noisy ovation, allowing the eager Bothroyd a debut. It seems unlikely Carroll’s England career will be as short lived as Kevin Davies’ but his night must have been frustrating. There was a feeling that with proper service, he could have seriously worried the French.
In the end, it was a familiar face who salvaged some pride for England. Seconds after Nasri had hit the post, Gerrard limped off , with Capello throwing on Crouch and reverting to 4-4-2. Within a minute the Spurs stiker, with just one league goal this season, met Young’s corner with a controlled finish.
Gerrard deserves a mention. He stood out in an England side that lacked cohesion and ideas and quite simply didn’t look like a team. Granted, with Terry, Lampard and Rooney to return, it is fair to expect an improvement. But as the rain continued to come down, England fans headed for the exits early knowing an equaliser was undeserved and unlikely. To their credit, the Troops stayed until the soggy end.
Living with Granny 