England 1-2 France, Wembley Stadium, 17/11/10A sell-out Wembley crowdhad eagerly forked out a fortune towitne s a much anticipated duel between two of world footballs heavyweights last night, but rather like the WBA bout at the weekend, one left in shame while the other more than earned their result.Under strength albeit, England were disgraced at the hands of a fully transformed France, well and truly on the road to renewal with the hosts travelling in the opposite direction. Goals from Karim Benzema and Mathieu Valbuena eased off a poor England side who undeservedly had a late Peter Crouch strike to show for their effort, if there was any whatsoever. The consolation volley from the substitute took the glo s Shelby Harris Jersey off of a supremely polished French performance.Capello has much to ponder, including his own futureFabio Capello awarded full debuts to Sunderlands Jordan Henderson and Newcastles Andy Carroll in an under strength team, ravaged by injuries. But with the experience in Florent Malouda and Samir Nasri, France dominated for long periods, keeping hold of po se sion throughout,continuously frustrating England. The pre sure soon gave way in the 16th minute as Benzema played a neat one-two with Quinn Meinerz Jersey Malouda on the edge of the area before hammering the ballinto Ben Fosters net at the near post. The experienced captain, Rio Ferdinand, showing his age and diminishing pace attempted to make a challenge but failed with both tracking the run and blocking the shot,unsucce sfullystamping his authorityonthe game whatsoever until his substitution at half time.Foster will be cursing himself for conceding a goal at his near post, one that all keepers hate, but redeemed himself somewhat with saves from Malouda and Yoann Gourcuff from distance. France could have put the game well beyond England before half-time but the chilly November friendly was an occasion that no one, not even a resurgent French side, could be bothered to put any effort into.Mamadou Sakho was brought on at half time in place of Philippe Mexes who had been given a rough time by Carroll during the first period, winning the few headers he contested for against the more experienced opposition. Les Bleus coach, Mike Purcell Jersey Laurent Blanc obviously sensed his chance at giving one of his fringe players a run out. England too, rang the changes as Barry, Walcott and Ferdinand were replaced by Young, Adam Johnson and Richards respectively following a poor half from all 3 to depart.Carroll Looked bright if not 100% fitAnd the game followed inthe same vein after the interval, as Valbuena swept home a tasty cro s from Bacary Sagna to make it 2-0 in the 55th minute, catching Kieran Gibbs out of position to play a controlled ball into the area. The Marseille midfielder tucked the ball superblyaway for his 2nd goal in the blue garments of his national side.Little else happened for anyone to raise an eyebrow at; Gerrard clipped the top of the bar with a header and Nasri could have compounded Englands misery even more but his fierce shot smashed a post. Substitutes rained down stronger than the London drizzle which summed up the evening for the fans and players. Lousy. At least Capello had a chance to see one or two fringe players like Peter Crouch or Stephen Warnock, or even Cardiff striker Jay Bothroyd who did little to provehow Kareem Jackson Jersey he is international quality.The match ended inregret as vice-captain, Steven Gerrard, injured a hamstring, which will keephim out for a month. Although Crouch stole in to volleyand make the scoreline 2-1, it had been a difficult night for all inEnglands new whitekit. All in all, little had been gained from the friendly which was practically a night out for the bigwigs at the FA as they still yearn to pay off the huge debt thenights venuehas cast uponthem.But for France, beating a world power (although under strength and progre sing in the wrong direction) signals Laurent Blancsfineeffort as his side keep working to diminish the nightmare performance at the World Cup Tim Patrick Jersey that left the teams reputation as churned up as the Wembley pitch used to be. There we go, at least we can end on a positive note after anight of negatives from the England bench.
Click here Click here Click here