Wayne Rooney’s farewell to England turned out to be a game all about dynamic new talent as England brushed aside the USA 3-0 at Wembley. Gareth Southgate opted for a youthful starting line-up who had fewer caps between them than Rooney has to his name, whilst England’s fabled number 10 started on the bench. The […]
England vs USA Preview: Rooney’s last rodeo
When Wayne Rooney departed English football this summer is was a strangely muted affair. A year on from rejoining boyhood club Everton, England and Manchester United’s record goalscorer slipped out of Finch Farm and headed to Washington DC. But his one-off return tomorrow night, makes England’s encounter with the USA their most talked about friendly […]
England’s Weekly winners and losers: week 11
Looking back at England’s risers and fallers on an emotional weekend for English football. Winners Demarai Gray There’s only one place to start, with grief-stricken Leicester City. Gray scored the goal that mattered so much more to Leicester than the three points it won. Gray has had an in and out time with Leicester, with […]
England’s Weekly Winners & Losers: Week 10
Firstly I should point out this form check is really a bit of fun and nothing that happens on the pitch can be compared to the shock of Glenn Hoddle’s collapse and disturbing news that the England legend remains critically ill in hospital. Nor does football compare to the unspeakable tragedy that unfolded at the […]
England’s Weekly Winners & Losers: Week 9
Winners Ashley Young Young may be England’s 4th choice left-back, but he was outstanding this week as Manchester United right-back. Young kept Eden Hazard (relatively) in check and was a constant source of energy down the right flank and even provided the assist, albeit off a deflection for Martial’s equalizer. Could that 40th England cap […]
Spain 2-3 England: Sterling wins The Thriller in Sevilla
“I can only see a Spain win” predicted the oracle that is Paul Merson. For once most agreed, Spain came into this game unbeaten in 38 straight competitive games at home, a run stretching back to 2003, their last home game being a 6-0 hiding of Croatia last month. England meanwhile hadn’t won in Spain […]
Croatia 0-0 England: A strange night in Rijeka
This morning I took my toddlers to play football at ‘Mini Shooters’ and the crowd watching the tots run around with a ball was larger than the one England played before last night. UEFA’s decided the best form of punishment to the Croatian FA for that infamous Swastika in the grass incident, was to play […]
Young Lions Qualify For Euro Finals
Congratulations to Aidy Boothroyd after guiding England’s Under 21s to next summer’s European Championships in Italy. England will head to Italy for their sixth consecutive Euro Under 21s after qualifying with a game to spare. Impressive Qualification The draw promised a bumpy ride but Boothroyd’s side breezed through, never looking in danger of missing out. […]
Croatia vs England Preview
England take on Croatia this Friday behind the closed doors of the Stadion HNK Rijeka. It’s fair to say this isn’t the biggest game between Croatia and England this year, it is however the latest chapter in what is quickly becoming one of European football’s most intense rivalries. A Red Hot Rivalry The World Cup […]
England’s Weekly Winners and losers: Week 8
Ahead of the international break which English players had a good week? Winners Ross Barkley Barkley celebrated his England recall with the best performance of his Chelsea career. First he provided a defence splitting for Eden Hazard’s opener and then reacted quickest to a loose ball to grab his first goal of the season. It […]