By Chris Wright
Joe Hart: The young ‘keeper wasn't made to face a barrage, but his assured
demeanour allowed you to afford the kind of confidence in him that you wouldn't allow yourself to
feel toward his immediate predecessors David James and Robert Green.
Michael Williams
As the final whistle in Bloemfontein signalled the end of England‘s dismal World Cup campaign,
the nature of their departure from South Africa became hot topic for journalists and the public
alike.
Nerves, tiredness and performance were just a handful of excuses as to why Fabio Capello and his
squad failed to deliver but the lack of any young prodigies in the English game gained extra
attention.
Michael Williams
As the final whistle in Bloemfontein signalled the end of England‘s dismal World Cup campaign,
the nature of their departure from South Africa became hot topic for journalists and the public
alike.
Nerves, tiredness and performance were just a handful of excuses as to why Fabio Capello and his
squad failed to deliver but the lack of any young prodigies in the English game gained extra
attention.
By Ollie Irish
Photo: Umbro (click to enlarge)
(Top row: Joe Hart, Adam Johnson, Eric Dier, Jade Bailey, Saido Berahino, Thomas Cruise; Bottom
row: Jack Wilshere, Fern Whelan, Wayne Rooney, Connor Wickham, Theo Walcott)
Here's a first view of England's new Umbro home kit.
England began their journey to The European Championships by destroying a feeble Bulgaria at
Wembley this evening. From start to finish England dominated and they went a little way in
restoring a reputation, torn apart by a dismal World Cup campaign.
Jermaine Defoe scored a quality hat trick, with his third goal especially noteworthy.
The major headline tonight was always going to be how Wayne Rooney coped with the revelation of
his alleged illicit contact contact with ladies of the night. The truth was revealed, and the
truth seems to be that Rooney is relieved. But that aside, Manchester City deserve a special
mention for aiding England's cause.
Frank Lampard is in a precarious position.
Super Frank missed the Three Lions' opening two qualifying fixtures for the 2012 UEFA European
Football Championship recovering from a hernia procedure. England proceeded to display a swagger
not seen since World Cup qualifying a year ago.
New captain Steven Gerrard flourished alongside Gareth Barry in the center of midfield.
It was with great interest that I noted that England's side against Switzerland contained no
fewer than six players from Manchester City. Since the arrival of the money men at Eastlands, I
have been a huge critic of the haphazard way in which City have gone about trying to achieve
success.
It has always struck me as being like applying a cheat code in Championship Manager which allows
you to buy whoever you want.
The Three Lions resume meaningful international competition this Friday v Bulgaria at Wembley
stadium as weary and untrusting eyes focus on equal parts Fabio Capello's management and various
members of the new look England squad. Bulgaria is the opponent and three points towards Euro 2012
qualification is the goal.
England relieved some of the pressure that had been mounting on their besieged manager
Fabio Capello by getting their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign underway with a
convincing victory, registering an emphatic win over Group G rivals Bulgaria at Wembley last
night.
On paper at least, Bulgaria represent one the biggest potential stumbling blocks in England's
qualifying pool, but in reality they posed little threat as Capello's side contained them
efficiently throughout the game whilst sniping goals on the counter-attack.
Watch match highlights of England's 4-0 victory against Bulgaria featuring a hat-trick for
Jermain Defoe and the first international goal for Adam Johnson.
It was a convincing win for England, but let's hope England doesn't get too overconfident from
this one victory when they face a tough Switzerland team on Tuesday.
By Ollie Irish
We've rated the England players, and now we present the best pics from Wembley, starring Joe
Hart, Jermain Defoe, Adam Johnson and a typically vexed Capello...
◄ Back Next ► Picture 1 of 10 ◄ Back Next ► Picture 1 of 10
Joe Hart, England's keeper, warms up with a dive
Photos: PA
A very impressive display by England, but let's not go overboard after Defoe's early first goal,
Bulgaria offered little.
By Chris Wright
Arsenal will definitely have to do without the services of Robin Van Persie for
the immediate future, and are also waiting to find out the extent of the injury Theo
Walcott sustained on England duty last night.
Off The Ball never rests in its mission to scratch around the underbelly of professional
football to find the most bizarre, humorous and inexplicable stories.
This week, Mario Balotelli reveals his three biggest regrets, Stephen Bywater apologises for his
'erotic' art installation, a Honduras goalkeeper shoots at journalists and Micah Richards and Adam
Johnson pay £12,000 for a date with Jordan.
England vs Bulgaria
Euro 2012 Qualifiers
Wembley Stadium
Friday, 3rd September 2010
20:00 (BST)
Although not many people are too eager to go watch the match at Wembley but we can be sure that
this game, along with many to come, will see Fabio Capello build a team that will be a strong
contender at Euro 2012.
A quick roundup of Euro 2012 news and scores from the first round of qualifiers - Fit again Jermain
Defoe scored a hat trick for England, Manchester City's Adam Johnson added another, and Wayne
Rooney's assists led the way as ... Continue reading →
photo by Greig Cowie/ISIphotos.com
By FRANCO PANIZO
Qualifiers for Euro 2012 began on Friday, and while some teams were hoping to build off what
they had done at the World Cup, others were hoping to start over.
England eased some memories of its bad World Cup showing by defeating Bulgaria, 4-0, to start
its qualifying campaign.
photo by Greig Cowie/ISIphotos.com
By FRANCO PANIZO
Qualifiers for Euro 2012 began on Friday, and while some teams were hoping to build off what
they had done at the World Cup, others were hoping to start over.
England eased some memories of its bad World Cup showing by defeating Bulgaria, 4-0, to start
its qualifying campaign.
foto de By toksuede
Francia 0 – Belorusia 1
(Euro 2012 partido clasificatorio, Septiembre 3, 2010)
Les Bleus sufrieron aun y con la decision de correr a su entrenador y perdieron en el minuto 87 con
gol de Sergey Kislyak y dejaron al nuevo entrenador galo Laurent Blanc con un panorama mas que
oscuro, Domeneq ha de tener una sonrisa en su rostro.
England winger Adam Johnson has expressed excitement at the way he put his failure to make Fabio
Capello's World Cup squad by scoring a key goal in his nation's opening Euro 2012 qualifier at home
to Bulgaria on Friday night.
The 23-year old Manchester City starlet admits that upon joining from Championship outfit
Middlesbrough in the winter transfer window, he carried little hope of traveling to South Africa
with the Three Lions.
England's new-look (i.e. all the first team players were injured) team got the job done with
a 4-0 win against Bulgaria on Friday night and one of the new faces has got himself a new fan in
our very own correspondent, Ted Carter.
Here he explains why Manchester City's Adam Johnson will be the face he draws on the inside
of his exercise book from now on.
Wayne Rooney has retained his starting spot in Fabio Capello's England eleven for today's match
against Switzerland. The Manchester United striker has been in the headlines for all the wrong
reasons this week, but his closest circle insists he'll be mentally prepared for today's Euro 2012
qualifier.
By Ollie Irish
◄ Back Next ► Picture 1 of 10 ◄ Back Next ► Picture 1 of 10
Wayne Rooney, England
Photos: PA
To sum up, England were again lively and professional as they were against Bulgaria on Friday
but how bad were the Swiss!
After netting his second international goal in the space of four days, England's greenhorn
winger Adam Johnson is for all the right reasons attracting considerable
attention, thus helping to drag the nation's spotlight away from his more 'scandal-mired'
cohorts.
The 23-year-old replaced the injured Theo Walcott (who rolled an ankle in the
build up to the opening goal) after ten minutes of England's Euro 2012 qualifier with Switzerland
had elapsed last night, and duly set about stating his case for a regular starting berth with
aplomb punctuating his endeavour with an opportune second-half strike.
I haven't seen a full summary of how Liverpool players fared during the international break (I
admittedly might not be looking hard enough, but I'm also sick of the same post atop the page for
almost a week), so here's a short one. The first number is the one most important to me – how
many minutes each played this week.
While the injury to Theo Walcott would have slightly marred England's excellent 3-1 win in
Basel, it did give Manchester City winger Adam Johnson a chance to enhance his ever growing
reputation. The former Middlesbrough man did just that with an confident display that saw him get
his second England goal in as many games.
While the injury to Theo Walcott would have slightly marred England's excellent 3-1 win in
Basel, it did give Manchester City winger Adam Johnson a chance to enhance his ever growing
reputation. The former Middlesbrough man did just that with an confident display that saw him get
his second England goal in as many games.
By Chris Wright
To nab a quick quote from today's Guardian, Roque Santa Cruz's
'periphal existence at Manchester City' looks set to continue (until about January time, I'd wager)
after the club announced this morning that the injury-ravaged striker has not been included in
their 25-man squad for the first group stage of the Europa League.
England Under-21 boss Stuart Pearce has made a pledge to his young squad, insisting that it's
time a few of them make the step up that Theo Walcott has enjoyed. The likes of Danny Rose and
Michael Mancienne have been sensational at the youth international level, but they are yet to break
into their respective squads on a consistent basis.
The international break is over, which means Premier League football returns this weekend. Which
means the Soccerlens Fantasy Football Game returns too. For those unaware, the Soccerlens Fantasy
Football Game is played week to week. It's not about accumulating points over the season, it's
about winning points and cash prizes in every week of Premier League action.
The international break is over, which means Premier League football returns this weekend. Which
means the Soccerlens Fantasy Football Game returns too. For those unaware, the Soccerlens Fantasy
Football Game is played week to week. It's not about accumulating points over the season, it's
about winning points and cash prizes in every week of Premier League action.
As another Saturday passes, another round of fixtures nears on completion. However, players are
now beginning to feel the effect of having played, potentially, 8 games since the season started a
month ago.
Tottenham are the hardest hit so far, I believe, with Gomes, Dawson and Defoe all definite long
term absentees with Modric on the brink of joining the list that can also accommodate King and
Woodgate.
While he may not have been able to propel Arsenal to the top of the Premier League yesterday, it
has been a supremely impressive start to the season for the latest star to come off the Arsenal
production line.
Jack Wilshere has finally been given his chance to showcase his talents on a regular basis in
the Arsenal first team.
It was only a few years ago when I had a conversation with my work colleague Jeremy that I
suddenly realized how your favorite position on the soccer field has a profound impact on how you
view the sport.
Let me explain.
Growing up, I played every position on the pitch at one time or other.
Liverpool out
Roy Hodgson is let down by his players as Liverpool crashed out against Northampton, who are
currently 17th in the fourth tier of English football.
Liverpool took an early lead before a Northampton equaliser took the game to extra time.
Northampton took the lead before Liverpool pegged one back to take it to penalties.
Preparing for their important EPL game this weekend, Manchester City's coach, Roberto Mancini,
is really having a bad headache as his team are short of fit defenders ahead of the match against
Chelsea.
The former Inter coach revealed the problem after the Carling Cup game against West Bromwich
Albion, hoping that that he could at least have Micah Richards available for Saturday's clash of
the titans.
Breaking through the national team of any country usually gives a special status for a player
especially in his club, however it seems to be a different case for Manchester City's Adam
Johnson.
The 23-years-old winger that recently gets a call up to Fabio Capello's England squad for the
Euro 2012 qualifiers is not being provided any special treatment by his coach, Roberto Mancini, who
instead still expect more hard work from the player.
