England’s trailblazers herald a new era

Whoever said international friendlies didn’t matter? Before Steven Gerrard’s double salvo to defeat plucky Hungary 2-1 at Wembley, the atmosphere was previously fraught with tension. A chorus of boos echoed around the stadium in reaction to Hungary’s controversial opener, an own goal by Everton’s Phil Jagielka that replays showed did not fully cross the line.

The manner of the victory may have been unconvincing however when England needed a leader, Liverpool’s talisman Gerrard duly stepped up to show the younger Three Lions how to shine for the national team. Indeed, the Liverpool and England captain seemed to revel in the role of pulling his side up by their bootstraps. The equaliser, a sweet dipping shot that gave Hungary ‘keeper Gabor Kiraly no chance, was usurped by a marvellous winning goal. Gerrard received the ball surrounded by opposition players in the penalty area, only to deftly swivel away and surge past his counterparts before neatly prodding the ball past Kiraly from a tight angle.

Manager Fabio Capello had been encouraged to discard some of the ageing members of previous squads who had let the country down in South Africa during the World Cup. His bold selection of youngsters including Arsenal’s Kieron Gibbs and Jack Wilshere attracted praise and consternation in equal measure from those who felt he may have not gone far enough in clearing the decks.

The subsequent international retirements of goalkeeper Paul Robinson, a scored figure in his own mind having previously not been a part of Capello’s plans, and Manchester United’s Wes Brown, summed up a chaotic transitional period for the Italian. Forced into calling up inexperienced goalkeepers Frank Fielding and Scott Loach after Ben Foster’s withdrawal, Capello’s preparations were beginning to seem farcical.

The performance itself was largely unremarkable, played out in front of a tepid Wembley crowd with large swathes of empty seats. Capello and his charges will have to do a lot more to exonerate themselves, a cause that can be helped by winning their upcoming European Championship qualifiers. Bulgaria visit Wembley on Friday 2 September where the re-vamped England team will be hoping to impress in their first competitive match together.

There has been much criticism of Capello, a figure once revered by the media but now portrayed as an ageing statesman lurching from one crisis to the next. No matter the opinion on the manager, now is the time to support the national side again and discard feelings about the old guard, instead looking towards the enterprise of the new.

Arsenal’s Theo Walcott, so often a frustratingly inconsistent performer, was inventive and positive on the right flank. His cross nearly led to a goal, Manchester City’s Adam Johnson blazing over when well placed to score. Refreshingly, the miss didn’t seem to have a great bearing on the game.

England were experimenting with a new style and finding a rhythm again after their wooden displays at the World Cup. Johnson, to his credit, was unperturbed throughout and was unafraid to express himself, even if everything didn’t always come off.

The introduction of Arsenal’s 20 year-old Kieran Gibbs injected fresh enthusiasm on the left-side and whilst Fulham striker Bobby Zamora, 30, is at the opposite end of his career to Gibbs, his fine season last year has been rewarded with inclusion. He was brought on at half-time along with Gibbs, Tottenham defender Michael Dawson and Aston Villa’s Ashley Young. The front-man produced a fine save from Kiraly who was finding himself increasingly busy as he tipped Zamora’s rasping shot over the bar.

Manchester City’s Joe Hart, regarded as the future England number one goalkeeper for many years to come, saved late on to deny Hungary an equaliser.

The change back to 4-4-2 in the second-half stifled England who were playing with a verve not seen since their previous qualifying campaign.

With so much inexperience and a number of debuts, it is no surprise that the side lacked fluency however inspired by Gerrard, they showed hunger and the will to drag themselves and England from its malaise.

Fabio Capello’s untimely comments hinting the end of David Beckham’s international career have attracted more attention and criticism however they are largely irrelevant. Beckham will be forever immortalised as an England icon however even he probably knows that last night was symbolic of the change to the national side. England’s new trailblazers will hope they enjoy the longevity that a player like Beckham has had however their quest has to be for more success as a new era begins in earnest.

By William Geldart