“Beckham who?” were the chants of some fans in the East stand. From behind Paul Robinson’s goal in the second half there were quite a few cheers for Aaron Lennon when his first cross was met by the head of Peter Crouch.
England’s performance was good but wayward passing from Lampard and Neville made for an increasingly frustrating game. Should Owen Hargreaves’ effort gone in and not have come back off the post then a 6 - 0 scoreline would have been better and more appropriate of the possession that England had. It would also have matched Scotland’s scoreline over the Faroe Islands.
The Portsmouth bellringer was in ‘ring-a-ding’ mood. I just know that one day I’m going to be sat next to him in all his tatooed Pompey glory. The Sheffield Wednesday band also blasted out a final ‘God Save the Queen’ a minute or so before the final whistle. It’s business as usual for England. I’ve almost forgot about World Cup ‘06 and the ghost of Sven.
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5 - 0 did not flatter England. They worked for it and should have had more really. But this was more a game of systems. 3-5-2 worked towards the end with the commanding Terry barking orders from the back. Hargreaves continues to impress in the number 7 shirt. Lennon effortly passed Andora’s defense, almost in second gear.
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The Shire pies at half time were very much needed as well. Old Trafford certainly wont be missed though once Wembley is finished. The M6 is just.. well.. we wont go there.
Bravo England. 3 points in the bag.