By Alan Duffy
No doubt Fabio Capello would have been torn to shreds by the media if he’d presided over such a defensive and mostly dour performance. However, under Roy Hodgson, expectations for the Three Lions have started to mirror reality and so a well-drilled draw against Group D’s top side will have pleased most of the nation.
With whippersnapper Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain given the nod on the left flank and Danny Welbeck up front, it was a fresh and youthful England side who battled and stayed firm against a technically superior French side. Indeed, England even took the lead, courtesy of a Joleon Lescott header from a Stevie G centre. However, Lescott’s Man City team-mate Samir Nasri levelled the scores before the break.
France continued to pepper Joe Hart’s goal with (mostly) long-range efforts but England, in true Hodgson style, stayed focused, disciplined and organised.
Welbeck deserves a lot of credit for his hard-working performance up front while France looked decent in attack but rather dodgy in the centre of defence. Expect both sides to get out of the group, mind.
Photos…
Highlights to follow…
Photos: PA