Disappointing show by England

[Lily]

London: Six points clear in Group G, moving within bags-packing proximity of Euro 2012, this was still a deeply unsatisfying performance by England.

Gone was the swagger from Sofia, the adrenalin-rush counter-attacks. By the end, the Wales supporters were taunting the hosts with a chant of "fourth in the world? You're having a laugh?" Fair point.

These were three ugly points for England, who need only to avoid defeat in Montenegro next month to reach Poland and Ukraine.

They may breathe easier away from North London. Wembley's weight of expectation continues to weigh heavily on England, who still managed to record their first victory here for a year courtesy of Ashley Young's first-half strike.

For an hour, England could have played Miranda Hart in goal, let alone Joe Hart. But Wales stirred, Gareth Bale showing his class with some deliveries, Aaron Ramsey excelling and Wales would have collected a point had Robbie Earnshaw not had his boots on back to front when faced with an open goal.

Man of the Match

In a real rarity, Wembley voted a visiting player as Man of the Match. Ramsey took the bubbly back home, deservedly so.

The life seemed to drain from England. Wayne Rooney was too isolated. Frank Lampard demonstrated some decent touches but failed to sieze the moment. Stewart Downing impressed down the flank, and linked up brilliantly with Young for England's goal, but this was largely lacklustre fare for those who managed to make it through the rain and transport chaos.

The thousands of fans trapped on the Metropolitan Line had not missed much for 35 minutes. England kept disappearing into sidings until Downing and Young combined so thrillingly, giving Capello's men the lead.

Until then, the width and counterattacking verve that had put Bulgaria to the sword last Friday was nowhere to be seen. The midfield of Frank Lampard, Gareth Barry and James Milner was too static, Wayne Rooney left too isolated in attack.

England's No 10 even screamed at his team-mates on the half-hour to press quicker and higher up the pitch. Gary Speed's 4-5-1 tactics worked for 35 minutes, frustrating England, denying them space.

Shirt-holding also restricted the movement of John Terry and company at England corners. Until Young relaxed Wembley's nerves with his third international goal, England were too disjointed, too uncertain.
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