[Report originally from www.thefa.com] England took three valuable points from Old Trafford this afternoon and will travel to Azerbaijan for their next game brimming with confidence after a workmanlike display against Wales. It was billed as a derby game, with two teams well known to each other and by both sets of fans. A match full of passion and excitement was expected with the two neighbours coming head-to-head for the first time in 20 years. But on the day, a goal from Frank Lampard put the game beyond the visitors as early as the fourth minute. From that moment, it was fairly plain sailing from England’s point of view. Some added moments of magic from their big-name stars lifted the atmosphere, but England won this game without ever having to hit top gear. David Beckham’s curler with 15 minutes left just prevented any scary moments that England may have had to endure from spoiling the day. England dominated with surprising ease. After a pacy beginning, which delivered Lampard’s opener, Sven’s men controlled the ball, dictated the tempo and as a result were in charge of the afternoon’s proceedings. Lampard’s latest goal, his seventh from twenty-seven internationals, was well-worked. A ball played in to Michael Owen’s feet inside the box was moved off to the Chelsea man to drive past Paul Jones with the aid of a deflection. Wales’ response was very tame. They rarely ventured forward, usually a sensible move for teams playing away at Old Trafford, but after going a goal behind so early, more would have been expected from Mark Hughes’ outfit. In fact the only Welshman really troubling England in one-on-one situations was Ryan Giggs. He had the upper-hand on his club mate Gary Neville on a number of occasions, but the England man was assisted in stemming the threat by the returning Rio Ferdinand. Ferdinand looked at ease alongside Sol Campbell. Even with the physical presence of John Hartson, the pair hardly broke sweat. Likewise, the man behind them, Paul Robinson, had one of the easiest games he could hope for in international football, required on only one occasion to make a simple catch from a darting Gary Speed header just before the break. Speed had by that time already enjoyed Wales’ only other effort. Bringing down and turning inside the box, demonstrating a superb touch, the Bolton midfielder directed his volley over the bar. At the other end Jones was called upon far more, largely because the three-pronged attack of Defoe, Owen and Rooney were like rampant lions hungry for goals. They loved playing in this match, not so much for the chances they were handed, but for the opportunities they were given to run at the Welsh defence and look for the spectacular. All three could have put this game well beyond doubt, but their mazy runs were snuffed out just before they could pull the trigger. When they did test Jones it was from range and the Wolves ‘keeper was equal to them. When Rooney had his first chance on eleven minutes, collecting from the halfway line and losing his red marker with ease, the crowd were anticipating another goal from the new Old Trafford hero. His low strike from 25 yards was a good one, but Jones pushed it onto the post and out for a corner. He had another run in the second half too. However this time, after his Gascoigne/Maradona-esque dribble, his shot deflected wide. Owen too looked to enjoy getting the ball with space to attack. When he out-muscled the Aston Villa’s Mark Delaney on the left eight minutes into the second period, we could have been watching a repeat of St Etienne as he just kept going and going. But in the end the figures of Jones, Gabbidon and a recovering Delaney were enough to snuff out the problem on the penalty spot. A one goal lead can sometimes be dangerous ground, and with all the possession England had had, a second was needed to finally kill the game off. Captain Beckham was on hand to supply - in the opposite end to his goal in England’s last home World Cup qualifier - and Sven’s men were home and dry. With one eye on Wednesday night, off came Rooney, while Beckham also made an early exit following two heavy challenges. There was still time though for Owen to round off another England attack with a well-timed header, which forced one more save from the busy Jones. The passionate and competitive all-British derby affair never materialised, but what matters to us is that, after three games, England have seven points and sit top of Group 6. edited by Guest (17/02/2006) |