Goals from Jermaine Jenas and Shaun Wright-Phillips gave England a not-entirely convincing 2-1 win over Switzerland in Fabio Capello’s first game in charge.
The Italian had said earlier in the week that winning was all-important and if that had to be done in an ugly fashion, then so be it. The result, therefore, will have pleased him, even though the performance at times was disjointed and the manner of victory far from overwhelming.
Jermaine Jenas put England in front five minutes before half-time and will, therefore, forever be the answer to the quiz question which player scored the first goal under Capello.
The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder was left with a tap-in just six yards out after an excellent weaving run down the left by Joe Cole.
But the Swiss, who had already proved they would be no pushovers, equalised on 58 minutes with an excellent first-time strike from Erin Derdiyok, the 19-year-old.
Advertisement
Parity lasted less than three minutes, however, as Steven Gerrard gathered Wayne Rooney’s flick-on before squaring the ball for Shaun Wright-Phillips to score just minutes after coming on as a substitute.
After a nervous start, which saw the defence in particular giving the ball away with alarming regularity, the home side began to take charge and Rooney was denied by Diego Benaglio, the goalkeeper, after he had been put clear by a Joe Cole reverse-pass after 11 minutes.
The Manchester United striker, in attack on his own, was looking particualry sharp and an audacious backheel at goal from an Ashley Cole cross from the left flew just wide of the post.
But England were not having it all their own way. A mistake by Gerrard presented Tranquillo Barnetta with the first genuine shooting opportunity but his low drive was comfortably dealt with by James, while the same player later was off target after being presented the ball by Wes Brown.
Midway through the half a free-kick from the right was headed on by Philippe Senderos, the Arsenal defender, and his central defensive colleague Mario Eggiman, headed wide from an excellent position with England markers nowhere to be seen.
Advertisement
The England crowd seemed less than impressed with the fare being served up and and boos broke out after a series of misplaced passes just 36 minutes into the game.
Joe Cole, head and shoulders above any of his colleagues, at least forced Benaglio into a save with a first time effort after exchanging passes with Gerrard.
Rooney wasted a gilt-edged opening to double the lead earlier in the second half and Jenas drew a wonderful one-handed save from Benaglio. England were made to pay on 58 minutes when Erin Derdiyok was given a yard of space by Rio Ferdinand and beat David James with an impressive shot that was hit so early the goalkeeper had no time to set himself.
Wright-Phillips, though, struck to ensure Capello’s tenure got off on the right footing.
Team news: Michael Owen was left out of the starting line-up as Capello opted for a five-man midfield.
Advertisement
It had been widely predicted that the Newcastle United striker would be the biggest name to miss out for the friendly international with Switzerland at Wembley Stadim, Capello having dropped a huge hint last night by opting to finish his final training session with Owen, the squad’s leading goalscorer, looking on as Joe Cole was tried out behind Rooney in attack.
David James, the veteran, was been rewarded for some superb performances in goal for Portsmouth this season by being handed the goalkeeper’s jersey.
Matthew Upson partners Rio Ferdinand in central defence, with Wes Brown and Ashley Cole the full backs.
David Bentley, who was overlooked by Steve McClaren following his decision to withdraw from the European Under-21 Championships, continues his rehabilitation into the England set-up by being handed a place on the right wing, with Chelsea’s Joe Cole on the left. Gareth Barry of Aston Villa fills the holding role in midfield, with Steven Gerrard partnering Jermaine Jenas in the centre and Rooney deployed as the lone striker.