In Roy Hodgson’s first game at Wembley as the England manager, he only just managed from suffering a rare home defeat, when a Frank Lampard penalty equalized the scores at 1-1 with just three minutes of normal time remaining, after Ukraine had gone ahead with a magnificent strike from Yevhen Konoplyanka after 38 minutes
It looked like Jermain Defoe had put England ahead in the first half when he beat a couple of men and rifled the ball into the back of the net, but he had pushed off one of the Ukraine defenders and the goal was disallowed. The English TV commentators said it was a harsh decision, but Jermain had pushed off a defender – an obvious foul by the rules of the game .
And then Phil Jagielka had a free header from Gerrard’s corner, but from only six yards out it lacked enough power, and Phil should really have scored, and then Tom Cleverley somehow missed a golden chance, when he failed to put the ball in the back of the net – but only managed to hit goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov from six yards out – Tom should have scored.
England could and should have been ahead by one or two goals at this point, but then after 38 minutes Yevhen Konoplyanka got the ball and moved inside and from five yards outside the penalty unleashed a tremendous shot into the top corner, that gave England goalkeeper no chance at all. It was a great goal and Steven Gerard had tried to block the shot but, he didn’t get close enough to the Ukranian striker.
At the half it was still 1-0 to Ukraine.
England pressed in the second half, but the Ukraine were holding out and right back Glen Johnson of Liverpool, who was having a good game storming up the right wing, almost scored a great equalizer, but the Ukrainian goalkeeper turned the ball around the post, from Glen’s excellent left foot shot, but a goal kick was given.
And then Welbeck should have scored when he had an excellent chance six yards out, but he managed to somehow hit the post, and the ball was cleared.
But then some good ball-work and skill from Danny Welbeck got England a penalty after 87 minutes, when a Ukrainian defender clearly handled the ball in the penalty box, and for the 9th time in 11 attempts, the reliable Frank Lampard blasted home the penalty to even the score.
England went all out for the winner after that, but Steven Gerrard managed to pick up a second yellow card and was sent off, and after four minutes of added time the final whistle was blown.
England had dropped two points at home, which was unexpected against a country ranked 39 in the FIFA rankings, with England currently ranked the third best in the world – somehow.
It was a disappointing result for England and only a so-so performance at Wembley from the England side.
Comments welcome.
55 comments so far
jesperfuglsang
Sep 12, 2012 at 7:31 AM
Comment #41Good morning lads… I didn’t find the time to watch the game anyway so how was it?
Hear alot this morning about diving and missed opportunities…
Ian Toon
Sep 12, 2012 at 7:32 AM
Comment #42Jesper / Ibiza —Good morning.
I can take it that we will have some misguided fans who think we’re heading for midfield mediocrity. But when you get even a few seriously making a case for Cabaye to be dropped ! Then it is misguided nonsensical rubbish. Anyway I have thought Cabs had looked short of match fitness, which is not surprising , given that he had only played 20 minutes pre season. I watched the French Game
and was rewarded by seeing a really impressive midfield controlling performance with Cabaye playing for around 75 minutes by which time the game was done and dusted . It confirmed that to get the best out of our side and Cabaye the side has to be set up to control the midfield and play a pass and move game of 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 . Less long ball and Tiote Anita- HBA Cabaye and Marve with Cisse or Ba up front. Critics say we have a problem because HBA and Cabs
want to occupy the same ground – their intelligent and can interchange for fun. Let’s be less negative and adopt a more fluid system to encompass our most creative players into the side. Pardew has spoken of controlling the midfield to control the game. We practiced it pre season let’s put it into action and be positive. Winning or losing will not define our season.
Ian Toon
Sep 12, 2012 at 7:38 AM
Comment #43Jesper- I only saw bits but from the phone in England were aweful. The Ukraine goal was shades of HBA v Villa with Gerrard failing to close down. We left it late with a Lampard penalty.
Ian Toon
Sep 12, 2012 at 7:54 AM
Comment #44Jesper – Sorry to have missed you yet again. Have a good day -hope you don’t have to endure too much negativity. Sometimes I think it resembles our relegation season the attitude of some.
jesperfuglsang
Sep 12, 2012 at 8:18 AM
Comment #45Ian…I’ll catch you later mate and I’ll give you an answer – my honest opinion to your great post 🙂
Basically it all comes down having a concept that captures your way of thinking football and at the same time getting you results.
The problem I have at the moment (last season as well) is that is seems Pardew philosophy is more of a rigid 4-4-2 than a fluid 4-3-3, but he bought continental players who are more used the fluid systems.
Hence the problems we see on the field. Last season we were winning never the less – it didn’t always look good and lady luck was on our side more than not.
Neither Cabs nor Benny looks comfortable in a 4-4-2 formation, but worse of all we don’t really utilize them to our advantage. We are out of balance because Cabs wants to be our playmaker and Benny wants to roam around freely and on top of that we don’t even create enough chances to justify two forwards.
Now I didn’t watch the French games, but I did during the EC and the problem with (bare in mind the were alot ;)) was that they were playing 4-2-3-1 and Nasri and Benny were always trying to occupy the same space.
Those of you how know physics knows that is not possible 😉 lol
Ian in short I agree with you mate – I don’t really know why some of our fans are so hard to please, but on the same time I do understand why some at times get frustrated with certain aspects of our game.
I am all for a more fluid system and I am all for dropping either Ba or Cisse to make that happen – for me Ba works just fine on the left.
But I think we work better in a 4-3-3 than a 4-2-3-1 😉
Guess I ended up answering you after all 🙂 lol
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Sep 12, 2012 at 8:34 AM
Comment #46Good morning campers,
We have a fun filled, action packed day ahead of us….oh wait, sorry, read the wrong day in my diary. As you were.
On the England game last night, their goal was really well taken. Apart from that I saw about 3 minutes of the game, not a lot, but seemed enough to know we didn’t play well.
jesperfuglsang
Sep 12, 2012 at 8:40 AM
Comment #47Ibiza..is the versión en español de la inclusión de un millón de dólares that time consuming that you don’t have time to enjoy a game football?
Can I please have a word with the producer? 😉 lol
Disclaimer: I have no idea of if that’s Spanish or not 🙂
jesperfuglsang
Sep 12, 2012 at 8:40 AM
Comment #48*of
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Sep 12, 2012 at 8:43 AM
Comment #49Jesper….It was a bloomin’ good effort. I’d have a word with myself about my hours, but I’m most unreasonable 🙂
I was actually on here trying to figure out who Steve Wraith was – Seems he’s just a fool. As always, time will tell and in the meantime doom will take over us all 🙂
jesperfuglsang
Sep 12, 2012 at 8:43 AM
Comment #50Maarten Stekelenburg apparently had a fantastic game for Holland yesterday and both Cabaye and France were great.
…had my doubts about France with both Ribery and Benzema still in the team (really dislike those two along with Nasri)…boy I really need to work on that! lol
jesperfuglsang
Sep 12, 2012 at 8:46 AM
Comment #51Ibiza..I did stop by yesterday evening, but it was impossible to get a word in 😉 lol
…that name had me wondering too 😉 so are you anymore wiser now?
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Sep 12, 2012 at 8:52 AM
Comment #52Seems he’s a boxing promoter based in Newcastle. Looking at general opinions on here and, I know as I say this how non-conclusive it is, Twitter.
There may well be an element of truth, we certainly don’t know for sure. But he’s been going on about how there is more information he was told, but that he felt he must put this out there to the fans of our great club. When asked what the rest of the info was, he dodged around it. Why? Sounds like rubbish or at best taken a small bit of info and blowing it out of proportion.
I guess he needs some attention – some have said he is organising an event soon….perhaps some free promotion?
I really do dislike Twitter. Free speech is one thing, giving morons a platform to vent their every thought is something completely different.
“I’ve just woken up, it’s 7.30am”
“Just went to brush my teeth – who left the cap of the toothpaste – LOL”
I should stop complaining, it’s not like I use the site.
OK, next bit of business we need to address…..
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Sep 12, 2012 at 9:04 AM
Comment #53http://www.journallive.co.uk/nufc/newcastle-united-news/2012/09/12/61634-31816014/
jesperfuglsang
Sep 12, 2012 at 9:13 AM
Comment #54Ibiza…I’ll read that article later; now I have to take care of some business and find time to run 5 miles 😉
See you in a bit…
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Sep 12, 2012 at 9:15 AM
Comment #55Jesper….Oh god, you’re an outdoors person 🙂
Take care mate