Eurosport - Thu, 20 Nov 13:35:00 2008
A player-by-player guide to how we rated England's performance in their 2-1 friendly win over Germany in Berlin.
David James - 6/10
One of three Portsmouth players in the starting line-up, James looked more solid than usual although almost had one misunderstanding with John Terry early on. In truth he was not really tested by Germany, who England dominated in the first half. Replaced at the break by Scott Carson.
Glen Johnson - 7
An accomplished performance by the Pompey defender, who combined well with Shaun Wright-Phillips and had the better of Piotr Trochowski for much of the game. England are now as competitive as ever at right-back, with Wes Brown, Gary Neville and Micah Richards all vying for a starting spot.
Wayne Bridge - 7
Mr Dependable has shown that what was once a problem position for England is now covered by two top-class players. While he lacks Ashley Cole's searing pace, he is no slouch and his crossing is superior.
John Terry - 7
Aside from the uncharacteristic error for Germany's goal, Terry was imperious as ever, winning headers, tackles and interceptions and scoring the winning goal with a trademark finish. Would have been man of the match were it not for the moment of madness.
Matthew Upson - 8
England have an embarrassment of riches at centre-half, and Upson has surely risen to undisputed third-choice behind Terry and Rio Ferdinand after an excellent performance. Mature and composed, he made Miroslav Klose look average.
Shaun Wright-Phillips - 8
'Sweepy' has been reborn since returning to Manchester City and the fleet-footed winger was a constant menace to debutant left-back Marvin Compper. He ran at players, cut inside and shot from whatever distance seemed fit. Hit the woodwork with a superb solo run and shot in the second half. The blow of Theo Walcott's injury has been softened somewhat.
Stewart Downing - 8
A surprise choice to start but Downing did not disappoint and, by the end of the game, looked a world-class player. His crossing was almost perfect, he ran at players, did his fair share of defensive duties and got two assists. Eurosport-Yahoo! man of the match.
Michael Carrick - 7
Unflustered and tidy, Carrick kept things ticking over as England played the possession game they have for so long been deemed incapable of managing. Neat with his passing and crisp in the tackle, he showed why he has been an integral part of Manchester United's domestic and European dominance.
Gareth Barry - 7
In a slightly deeper role than accustomed to at Aston Villa, Barry continues to establish himself as first-choice in Fabio Capello's midfield. Almost interchangeable with Carrick, he was head and shoulders above Germany counterparts Simon Rolfes and Jermaine Jones.
Enthusiastic and industrious, his pace gave Heiko Westermann and Per Mertesacker a torrid time. He ran the channels, held the ball up, produced some clever flicks and was unlucky to have a goal disallowed.
Jermain Defoe - 6
Good movement and first touch in his run-out. The Portsmouth striker worked well with Agbonlahor but failed to test Adler and came off injured at the break.
Substitutes:
Scott Carson - 6
Terry took the blame for the goal but Carson was hesitant and could have come quicker to clear. Compensated for it with an otherwise solid performance and one great stop from Marko Marin.
Darren Bent - 5
Ran around and chased everything in his 45-minute spell but missed a sitter and does not look confident at the highest level.
Ashley Young - N/A
Did not have enough time to shine in a brief cameo at the end, but the Aston Villa wide man took the ball into the corners and set up a Wright-Phillips chance with a clever flick.
Comment 3 - 22 of 22
Bring the Aussies on and they would thrash england easily...say 5-0
Hopefully last night has silenced Downing’s boo boys, just hope he keeps his form up not only for England but for Middlesbrough as well.
Ntinos M – there’s a few up and coming English defenders in the Prem and David Wheater is one of them :p
Actually, Terry was not offside. There has to be daylight between attacker and defender for it to be given. Take another look at the replay.
That makes 2 perfectly good and legal goals.
LETS HOPE THAT THE LADS KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK , JOB WELL DONE :)
Scott t, posting 6, They call David James Dracula because he hates crosses. What have David James, Scott Karson and the western hero Kit Karson all have in common ? They are all bloody cowboys. However James was ok yesterday but hardly someone for the next world cup.
England is a great team and it has been proved by them beating Germany in their own backyard.Thumbs up for such a great team and they did it with injuries!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lets hope that this result finally puts the lid on the era of overated jessies like Gerrard and Capello will now focus on those who want to play, rather than the embarrassing mob we've had before who'd rather stick at club level.
The replays show JT WAS offside when the ball was played, but its nonsense to say the keeper was attacked for the first goal - he came out, flapped at the ball and slammed into SWP! It was a perfectly good goal. Anyway, since England gave the Germans their goal, hit the post, would have scored if Bent hadn't slipped after rounding the keeper and might have a claim for the Agbonlahor goal, its fair to say that England fully deserved it...
We beat the Hun again, the decisions were given.Get over it people
JT was nowhere near offside. The keeper was "unlawfully attacked"?? What rubbish you bitter people spout. Are you German or Scottish??
This thread is rubbish
not only JT was offside but also the first England goal occured after German keeper was unlawfully attacked and denied the ball when tried to clear. both goals should have been disallowed.
ok so nobody admits that John Terry was off-side???
as usual,,, too proud to admit that!!!
Has the article now been updated then?
As it now says SWP is at Man City and they have given Downing an 8 and MoM award.
Anyway, as the article now reads, I'd agree with almost all of it apart from..... "England have an embarrassment of riches at centre-half". That simply isn't true. After Rio and Terry, who are both World class, who is there? Upson looked good last night but was poor in the two previous games but who else? Lescott? Erm, erm, Wheater?? Erm, erm, erm.... King? Woodgate? lol
how embarrassing, this guy should lose his job. Can you believe he got paid for that?
lol
maybe david james was a bird in a past life as he flaps so much
Well down all those who spotted the writers deliberate mistake
SWP plays for City not Chelsea. C mon, who writes this stuff. Unbeliveble
hahahaha omg yes he does play for Man City...
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