Yohan Cabaye has admitted that England made it very difficult for France yesterday, with their rugged and spirited defensive play.
Jolean Lescott races past Yohan Cabaye after scoring England’s goal
France were the better side, and at times dominated the game, but they couldn’t get the win, thanks in large part to a well organized and sturdy England defense.
And England even had to rely on their defense for the goal, with Joleon Lescott’s scoring in the 30th minute with a great header from a perfect Steven Gerrard free-kick.
Newcastle United midfielder Yohan Cabaye – who had a good game in the heart of the France midfield – had this to say after the game:
“We took some time to enter the game,” “It took us a while to get our game flowing.” “We will need to keep this good circulation of the ball for what is to come.”
“We love to have the ball, that is our trademark.” “We expected England to field two lines of four players, but we had a hard time to play in depth.”
And Patrice Evra thought the game resembled Chelsea’s famous performance at the Nou Camp, in the European Champions league last season:
“We are frustrated, because I think we played much better,” “At times, it was like there were 15 bodies in front of us. It was really difficult to find space.”
“People laugh, but they played the way that Chelsea played against Barcelona.” “Maybe the fans want England to play more football, but if they win the tournament like that, they will be happy.”
Those are fair words from the Manchester United left-back.
England got a good result yesterday, but France were by far the better side, and had most of the possession, especially after the first 20 minutes or so.
But it was a much better result than it was a performance from the England side, and we shouldn’t get too carried away, and the England players were hanging on in the last 20 minutes or so, as France became even more dominant.
In the other Group D game, Andrei Shevchenko showed what a hero he is, and he’s still a decent player even at 35, with two great headed goals, in a come-from-behind win by the Ukraine.
When they had gone behind to a goal from Zlatan Ibrahimovic after 52 minutes, Ukraine surged forward, and within 10 minutes they were 2-1 up.
And they kept up their pace and determination to record a great first victory in the Euo 2012 Championships, which they are hosting with Poland.
We were hoping for a draw in that game, which would have benefited England, but it was hard to deny the Ukraine such an emotional win, with their best ever player and captain scoring two great goals.
England will have to start attacking and try to win the next two games of course, rather than concentrating on not losing, which is basically what they did yesterday – if we are honest.
Comments welcome.
121 comments so far
Ben Arfa (Either love him or Hatem)
Jun 12, 2012 at 1:37 PM
Comment #81Wait he tweeted in English… Didn’t be say in an interview yesterday he is only allowed to speak French??
WWYCD
Jun 12, 2012 at 1:39 PM
Comment #82Ben Arfa
Well get on it lad need some funds this summer haha
Dannyo
Aye would be cracking woud be really like Arsenal and who wouldn’t love that 😀
rich_toonfan
Jun 12, 2012 at 1:41 PM
Comment #83@dannyo
Can’t see debuchy deal for but maybe few an wages agreed just waiting for medical then Confirmed?
Very unlikely but same way kagawa has agreed man utd move But not finalised until medical is complete
rich_toonfan
Jun 12, 2012 at 1:42 PM
Comment #84Fee not few
Dannyo
Jun 12, 2012 at 1:47 PM
Comment #85@rich
Ye, but should Debuchy joining be released by Yohan? Doubt the club would be too happy about that, unless Yohan has talked to them.
Ben Arfa (Either love him or Hatem)
Jun 12, 2012 at 1:57 PM
Comment #86Twitter app is messed up for me.
Has Cabaye tweeted since?
Toontappy
Jun 12, 2012 at 2:13 PM
Comment #87Debuchy has just tweeted Newcastle or Inter Milan,not sure if his account is real but I’ve made it clear he needs to come to the TOON..
Dannyo
Jun 12, 2012 at 2:15 PM
Comment #88The Debuchy account is fake, and Cabaye has not tweeted yet.
t00ntime
Jun 12, 2012 at 2:19 PM
Comment #89About england:
The french didnt really play better imo they passed it around more nothing else, england let them pass it around and stopped the from getting into the box. All of frances chances are from outside the box and only a few made har sweat…
England had the best chance with milner.
So to me england were the better side as we made more chances and kept france back to stupid shots
Now on cabaye, if its about a signing je wont be able to say till nufc have confirmed it first (nufc.co.uk) so maybe he says he has news and now he is waiting till nufc confirm. Yet again he might of just got some new boots
Ben Arfa (Either love him or Hatem)
Jun 12, 2012 at 2:21 PM
Comment #90Debuchy didn’t play much of a defender’s role more of a right mid who defended a bit. Is it just me?
robcstar
Jun 12, 2012 at 2:25 PM
Comment #91@ Ben Arfa: My thoughts were he looks a good player but wonder what he is like defending!
mindshaft
Jun 12, 2012 at 2:29 PM
Comment #92England were 2nd best all game, depressingly defensive and it looked like they had set out thier stall to try and get a goal on the break – terrible to watch but well organised and effective, don’t think we can get anywhere playing like that although we have one of the easiest groups with Ukraine and Sweden likely to be easy wins (they were both awful last night) reckon we’ll get last 16 spot and get knocked out or even last eight if we get very very lucky – press will bang on about the new golden generation and the bulldog spirit, we still won’t coach passing football and another decade where we’ll win sweet f.a
mindshaft
Jun 12, 2012 at 2:31 PM
Comment #93t00ntime – france 15 shots on target – England 1 on target
were you watching the same game, even hodgson and the england players have said they were outplayed but held on
cupiddstunt
Jun 12, 2012 at 2:41 PM
Comment #94I do wonder at times what people really “LOOK AT” when they spout forth about what they apparently “SAW”.
The way England played Debuchy did not have a lot to do as a fb, so was allowed to play a far more attacking role.
Please judge a full back when he has played several games against opposition that have put him repeatedly under pressure then you will have the chance to “SEE” the player.
Also look at his attitude when things are not going so well for him and you will “SEE” the real player.
We want players that thrive under adversity not those that only shine when they are given the time and space to look good.
lewytoon
Jun 12, 2012 at 2:43 PM
Comment #95tottenham apparently bidded 10m for krul
shearermania
Jun 12, 2012 at 2:48 PM
Comment #96had a dream last night that we signed Debuchy but then he did his acl in his debut game being out for the season……
Ben Arfa (Either love him or Hatem)
Jun 12, 2012 at 2:49 PM
Comment #97@Lewy,
Just read that.
Apparently Forster will be his cover if Krul leaves… Interesting to say the least…
Sazzer
Jun 12, 2012 at 2:50 PM
Comment #98When Rooney is back hopefully England will start playing like Man U/Arsenal rather than Chelsea/Liverpool.
@timuJ
Jun 12, 2012 at 2:50 PM
Comment #99on Debuchy, yeah his attacking qualities were on show yesterday and he didn’t have much do defensively because England were poor/non-existent in the final third – but he is the no. 1 French right-back at the moment so I think he should be decent enough in defence as well.
I personally, think he should be our top target to take over from Simmo, and he may well be
Sazzer
Jun 12, 2012 at 2:55 PM
Comment #100Don’t worry Krul will stay, unless all money from Bale and Modric sales go straight into our accounts and he become Premier leagues most well paid player.
Dannyo
Jun 12, 2012 at 3:01 PM
Comment #101If we sold Krul, i’d like us to get Vorm. He’s immense. My favorite keeper outside our own ofc.
TimKrulFan
Jun 12, 2012 at 3:05 PM
Comment #102Cabaye played well but dont no how he wasnt booked
cupiddstunt
Jun 12, 2012 at 3:05 PM
Comment #103mindshaft@ # 92
I’m not too sure what you are looking at when you say we have one of the easiest groups with Ukraine and Sweden likely to be easy wins.
Ukraine on home soil not an easy game.
Sweden, have you any idea what England’s record is against????? Rhetorical question really as your comment about the group being easy tell all that you haven’t a clue.
A little bit of info last 13 games against Sweden England won ONE (played at Wembley so home advantage) lost FOUR drawn eight.
So tell me bright spark where is the easy qualifying????
cupiddstunt
Jun 12, 2012 at 3:09 PM
Comment #104Dannyo @ # 101
Agreed Vorm is a class keeper and I for one would have no problems with seeing Vorm in between the sticks for NUFC if the player merry-go-round really kicks off. 🙂
t00ntime
Jun 12, 2012 at 3:18 PM
Comment #105@mindshaft
I never said we had more chances I said we had BETTER chances…
Correct me if i’m wrong but did france not only get a chance inside the 18 from a set piece?
They had no penetration what so ever, like barca block them and they run out of ideas fast!
keeleytoon
Jun 12, 2012 at 3:38 PM
Comment #106This was cabayes last tweet,Comment vont mes twittos ?? Je reviens vite vers vous pour proposer quelque chose qui pourra peut être vous intéresser
Which translates
How are my twittos? I’ll be right back to you to suggest something that may be of interest to you
Ben Arfa (Either love him or Hatem)
Jun 12, 2012 at 3:39 PM
Comment #107@keeley,
Read the old comments!
Tell us already Yohan!!
keeleytoon
Jun 12, 2012 at 3:41 PM
Comment #108I did read them but some one posted about him and tiote leaving? I was just trying to confirm that ain’t true, wonder what the news is though
Korzic
Jun 12, 2012 at 3:43 PM
Comment #109I really wish people would stop with the rumours from CaughtOffside or Goal. You’d be far more accurate to just randomly pick 2 teams and a player from a hat and ask a Magic 8 Ball.
Ben Arfa (Either love him or Hatem)
Jun 12, 2012 at 3:44 PM
Comment #110It’s called a joke!
Papiss9
Jun 12, 2012 at 3:53 PM
Comment #111I see there is rumours about Tim Krul going to spurs.
Why the hell should he go there? he has played regular first team football for one season, which turned out to be really good and he’s been here since he was 17.
Spurs do not have CL, so this rumour is a joke.
keeleytoon
Jun 12, 2012 at 3:53 PM
Comment #112Sorry mate didn’t mean to sound so serious! An really curious now though about what it’s about prob nothing much!
yorkshireToon
Jun 12, 2012 at 4:01 PM
Comment #113Dannyo
How do you know the account is fake? He’s posted several close up pictures with fans and friends
Dannyo
Jun 12, 2012 at 4:06 PM
Comment #114As told a few days ago, games against Olympiakos and Porto in Portugal confirmed.
Fantastic games to start with 🙂 European League class matches.
Ben Arfa (Either love him or Hatem)
Jun 12, 2012 at 4:06 PM
Comment #115Swear we are waiting longer for Cabaye to tweet than it did for Hazard!!
Sazzer
Jun 12, 2012 at 4:06 PM
Comment #116For some reason Benzema decided to play attacking midfielder than striker. That gave France no chance for through balls nor crosses. Just long shots. England played well defensively. And had few great chances up front.
Both teams need to improve if they want to go far in this tournament. But both looked more harmonious than past few tournaments. Which makes me think that they will pass Ukraine and Sweden rather easily. I’m less worried now than before tournament started since England normally have a hard time against Sweden, and Ukraine plays at home.
And France can be really bad when that start fighting eachother despite being favories on papers.
Dannyo
Jun 12, 2012 at 4:07 PM
Comment #117@yorkshiretoon
It’s been confirmed by several journos, who have been told by Debuchy, that the account is fake.
tonynufc
Jun 12, 2012 at 4:07 PM
Comment #118msi douglas retweet.
Debuchy has told l’Equipe nothing will be decided on his future until after the Euros. ‘I have wishes,but we will discuss them
ryan toon
Jun 12, 2012 at 4:09 PM
Comment #119Hope this cabaye tweet thing is gunna be a new signing. So excited
tonynufc
Jun 12, 2012 at 4:10 PM
Comment #120newcastle to compete in a friendly cup in faro along with porto and olympiacos. from 26th to 28th of july