World Cup qual - How England rated

Eurosport - Sun, 07 Jun 12:54:00 2009

We cast a discerning eye over England's performers in the 4-0 World Cup qualifying win against Kazakhstan.

2009 Kazakhstan-England Gareth Barry Emile Heskey - 0

Robert Green - 6

His only major contribution came after 20 seconds, when he made himself big and caused Sergey Ostapenko to fluff his lines when presented with an early chance. Ostapenko later found the net but was ruled offside. Green will start against Andorra on Wednesday.

Glen Johnson - 4

Was awful in the first half, giving the ball away to Zhambyl Kukeyev for that early chance, and then playing panicky stuff. Partially redeemed himself with the cross for Rooney's goal, but will be thankful backup right-back Gary Neville is injured.

John Terry - 6

Had very little to do following the home side's opening flurry of activity. His pre-match comments that only the result mattered cannot have helped the overall team performance but a win is a win. Will soon be captaining England at the World Cup.

Matthew Upson - 6

It is difficult to remember him making a telling contribution barring a first-half header wide, but Upson did what was required of him. Mind you, England could have kept a clean sheet in the second half with waxwork dummies at centre-back.

Ashley Cole - 5

Was troubled by Eugene Averchenko's searing pace down the Kazakhstan right and was relieved when a tactical reshuffle saw the winger take a more central role. Made no major clangers, as he did in the corresponding fixture at Wembley.

Theo Walcott - 4

The Arsenal flier's long-awaited return to the England team was a disappointment. A small pitch and the home side's tendency to defend in numbers denied him space, and he was replaced at half-time by Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Frank Lampard - 7

The Chelsea man's late penalty capped off an authoritative performance in midfield. Lampard worked hard in a more defensive role than that which he plays at club level, but still found space to pass the ball effectively. Set pieces could have been better.

Gareth Barry - 5

A mixed performance after a big week for Manchester City's latest signing. Was booked for a first-half foul and might have picked up a second booking from a fussier referee. But made no mistake heading in the opening goal.

Steven Gerrard - 6

The Liverpool skipper set up the opening goal with a left-foot cross, but he still looks less than comfortable in his position on the left. Occasionally swapped positions with Wayne Rooney, drifting inside to more familiar ground.

Wayne Rooney - 6

After a big build-up, Rooney's return to his favoured position as a second striker was something of a let-down. Did not see as much of the ball as he wanted, but executed a superb overhead kick late on to score his eighth England goal in six matches.

Emile Heskey - 7

A record of seven goals in 53 caps is hardly prolific, but the Aston Villa striker has now found the net in his last two England games. Led the line with his usual hard work and physical presence, and also hit the post before his goal.

Substitutes

Shaun Wright-Phillips - 5

Played the whole second half but did little to persuade Fabio Capello to start him against Andorra.

David Beckham - 6

A popular introduction late in the second half, Goldenballs moved closer to the all-time record and sent a shot wide.

Jermain Defoe - 5

Had little time to make an impact in his 10-minute cameo.

Alex Chick / Eurosport

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  1. Hey, I'm an open minded girl from UK, I'm­­ interested in exotic things, photography, dating and­­ sports...I have my photos on --- T a l l h u b Co m­­ ---, I love tall guys!
    Do you love traveling and have­­ some experience? Just find me out.

    From daivihenry03, on Mon 8 Jun 3:48AM

  2. I beg to differ Vic,Donney is extremely funny

    From saeed, on Mon 8 Jun 1:28AM

  3. england cibekkk

    From levinpoll, on Mon 8 Jun 1:27AM

  4. David Bechkam d best

    From Raamkee.S, on Sun 7 Jun 6:47PM

  5. England rule!!!!!!!!!

    From jpaulaquilina, on Sun 7 Jun 4:18PM

  6. I think Donny is someone that's been kicked off the­ kids bit on MSN...poor lad eh

    From Ray C, on Sun 7 Jun 4:04PM

  7. Beckham has always given 100% in his country's­ shirt..He still has poise and he still has class !­ There is not one country in the world who wouldn't­ have him in their team....yet all he gets is the­ 'smart' knocking from the people he gives his­ all for....wierd

    From Ray C, on Sun 7 Jun 4:03PM

  8. I wouldnt go as far as to say laughing stock, but i get­ what your sayn pal. Theres no doubting the fact that­ they are the most under acheived team around but in­ saying that, they are the most scrutinised, written­ about , discussed and under pressure teams bar none.­ Even more so than the Brazillian team and football is­ pretty much the only sport in Brazil. All im sayin is­ it would be great to go through a world cup campaign­ where everyone just gets behind the team and the lads­ dont have to read all the negative bs, then they mite­ just relax, play to their potential and stick it rite­ up all those other @#$% nations.

    From wflorence14, on Sun 7 Jun 3:31PM

  9. no way, our Donney is a legend

    From the silent assassin, on Sun 7 Jun 3:19PM

  10. For everyone's sake, stop Donney using this forum.­ He's not funny -- just continuously boring.

    from­ Vic B.

    From VIC B, on Sun 7 Jun 3:14PM

  11. florence, same players try and same players dont and im­ not interested who they play for at club level. As a­ footballing nation with a strong squad on paper, we are­ still a laughing stock.

    From the silent assassin, on Sun 7 Jun 3:10PM

  12. Oh and i hate how club fans cant get behind players­ from rival clubs..eg: manu supporters givn Gerrard­ stick etc... guys if you support the country and the­ team.. support the WHOLE team, and forget your petty­ club @#$%..

    From wflorence14, on Sun 7 Jun 2:57PM

  13. Go England, from a football supporter in New Zealand,­ im a huge fan of the premiership and have always­ supported the England team. I just wish some of their­ own fans and journos back home would be a bit more­ reasonable when it comes to assessing their teams­ performances. In international football, a win is a­ win, esp away from home. Theres only one goal here and­ thats get to South Africa.. almost there now so at­ least theres less nerves than in previous qualifying­ campaigns. And once we get there... best chance ever to­ lift the cup i rekon.. Rooney, Gerrard, Lampard...­ seeing them on the same is an awesome site.

    From wflorence14, on Sun 7 Jun 2:53PM
  14. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    They should all be singing the National Anthem with­ passion and as for Gerrard playing again, for how long,­ and as usual Fat Frank under performed, except he­ volunteered himself to take the penalty, he cant stand­ not being on the scoresheet. The games you mentioned­ are not the "difficult ones" for heavens­ sake, always awkward maybe. They should be the ones we­ are confident about and now is not the time to be­ switching players here there and everywhere. Capello­ should be aware of who plays best in which position­ otherwise it will not be possible to put in good­ convincing performances which will ultimately give us­ the best possible chance in South Africa, note the word­ chance, because as we all know with England NOTHING is­ guaranteed.

    From the silent assassin, on Sun 7 Jun 2:42PM

  15. Overall, a win is a win. Capello is a manager not a PR­ exercise. Football is 90 minutes long, not a sectional­ sport where 3 minutes bad play is everything. WE have­ not won a major trophy since '66. We won a­ tournament under Hoddle and fored him!! Playing for the­ shirt is nice but this is business, singing the­ National Anthem is a personal choice not an order like­ someone countries. Let's look at the positives,­ gerrard finally playing, lampard performing, Beckham­ nurturing his talents as a motivator and Coach under­ Cappello's and Pearce's lead. Capello is a man­ mamnager and organised (Don't tell the commentators­ that like Alan Green et al, they demand their­ untalented voices be heard first) hence the­ Wright-Phillips switch to right back. He will give­ Green his chance against the difficult ones,­ Kakazsthan, Andorra etc. They develop the most­ difficult skill for a keeper at this level,­ concentration. If he cracks that, Croatia etc will be­ easier. Robinson will soon be tested as well. James­ will slowly revert to No 3 before the world Cup. He has­ lost his hunger for the role and his Portsmouth­ performances show that. Greed is his motivation not for­ money but supremacy over others. Anyway, U21's are­ going well and we have many more good players that­ Capello will nuture. Stay positive, England will be­ ready for South Africa, the press won't be, and­ long may that be the way!!
    Philip, gosport

    From afc, on Sun 7 Jun 1:59PM
  16. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    OM VARAY TACHAY TADAY SA DINNAY GAT AN THA WRANG SEED­ AV MAY. OM NAT AN GUD FARM ATAL. DAPRASSED OND S HAT.­ SA WETCH AT.

    From Donney, on Sun 7 Jun 1:18PM

  17. why are we so worried about this. the germans have a­ history of lousy qualification rounds, playing badly­ yet getting the results. it may not be pretty or even­ inspiring at times, but it is a means to an end. we may­ never win the world cup again (and I suspect South­ Africa may be a competition with problems), but we sure­ won't win if we don't get there. so far, job­ done, well done lads. Folks get of beckham's back.­ He'ss in the squad for a reason - not to play 90­ minutes, but as much for what he brings off the field­ as anything on it.

    From birchingtonbob, on Sun 7 Jun 1:06PM

  18. ENGLAND PLAYED AGAINST BORAT...DID BORAT SCORES? hehe

    From irmaN j, on Sun 7 Jun 12:58PM
  19. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    ILL TEL YEE WAR OWLED JIM AS GOAN WRANG MISSAS COW. A­ AS SPEEKAN AN ANGLASH. OND ATS JAST NAY FANNAY. NAY­ MATTAR HOO MANAY TEEMS A READ HES CAMMANTS AT JAST­ NAVAR SEEMS TAY TACKAL MAY WACKAL. OND A THANK WAR YER­ GOAN WRANG MISSAS COW AS THOT U HAY FACK AL SANSE A­ HUMAR. SA GO OND FACK YAYSELL YA SMELLAY HER.

    From Donney, on Sun 7 Jun 12:56PM

  20. David Beckham and the others did good

    From Colin T, on Sun 7 Jun 12:55PM
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