A vital win against one of their stronger group rivals gives England a foot on South African soil! This was, however, perhaps the stalest qualifying performance since the opener against Andorra. The first-half showed enough flashes of team cohesion and attacking imagination, but overall England were workmanlike rather than impressive in this fixture.
England’s goal after half-an-hour perhaps provided a false sense of security. The advantage was secured when John Terry’s nod down from a corner was fired home from close range by Peter Crouch. England did not display the cutting edge required in the second-half to finish the game off, but it seemed as if 1-0 would be the final scoreline as Ukraine were well contained. Then with the match feeling all but over, substitute Andriy Schevchenko pounced on a long-range free-kick in the box to make it 1-1. England regained their advantage with a goal somewhat similar to their first, when John Terry found the back of the net, after Gerrard had turned substitute David Beckham’s free-kick across the six-yard box.
The only changes from Capello’s present first choice XI were Peter Crouch coming in for Emile Heskey, and Aaron Lennon replacing Theo Walcott on the right side of midfield. Both Crouch and Lennon performed well enough in this fixture but are unlikely to become first team regulars at this time. Crouch’s international scoring record far eclipses Heskey’s, but the latter seems to fit in with the manager’s preferred structure. Lennon’s pace caused the Ukraine defence some difficulties, but if either Walcott or Shaun Wright-Phillips are fit and in form, they will probably remain first and second choice respectively for right midfield.
A narrow England victory was fitting, but they could have been punished for their lack of creative spirit in the second period. This was one of those England performances exemplified by defensive security but attacking somnolence. The old dependence on dead ball situations to score goals also seemed somewhat familiar. The victory is what mattered, but England will need to perform better in future to justify their position as one of the favourites for World Cup 2010.
7 Wayne Rooney: The brightest attacking player on show, but perhaps lucky to stay on the pitch after a rash challenge on Oleksandr Aliev.
7 Frank Lampard: Looking highly dependable in a now established restrained midfield role.
7 John Terry: Solid at the back, provided an assist and a goal too.
7 Peter Crouch: Posed Ukraine’s defence some problems - and scored!6 Steven Gerrard: Some nice interplay in the first half but faded.
6 Gareth Barry: Another decent shift at the base of midfield.
6 Ashley Cole: A couple of sloppy moments but otherwise secure enough.
6 Rio Ferdinand: A commanding enough display without much to do.
6 Glen Johnson: Comfortable at right back, but remains the most expendable member of the defence.
6 Aaron Lennon: Some sharp moments keep him in the frame for right midfield.
6 David James: Not entirely convincing when dealing with one long-range effort, but did everything else OK.
6 David Beckham: Free-kick led to the winning goal.