England 3-0 Egypt - Play to our potential and success follows, the need to address the weaknesses is still prevalent though

In the end it was more than a credible result, but it certainly took a kick up the backside at half time to ignite the ability that exists in the England players. From the off England were lacklustre, they seemed to be half asleep and dumbfounded by the attacking threat that Egypt offered. The visitors came out the blocks determined to prove that they deserved to be at the World Cup this year instead of England's 2nd opponents Algeria. They haven't fluked the last 2 African Cup of Nations, they've been by far the better side. At this years tournament they beat every African side that have qualified for the World Cup and on the performance of the first half hour it seemed extraordinary how they they aren't going to South Africa.

Egypt's opener was almost inevitable, the speed and skill that they were exerting had put England on the back foot, Upson's slip that led to the goal epitomised the home team's inability to cope with a team who played at pace and counter attacking finesse. This shouldn't take anything away from the goal though, Zidan's finishing was almost worthy of his French namesake.

Come half time the crowd and Capello had seen enough. Off went Lampard and Defoe, on came Carrick and Crouch. Although Lampard hadn't done too badly in the 1st half, Carrick bossed the centre more, his passing and control of the game seemed to be very influential. As for Crouch, well he was fantastic in an England shirt yet again. Almost unplayable, it was a fine example of how continental country's seem to be clueless whe it come to handling him. Capello has previously said that he prefers a big man and small man up front, he's also stated about Crouch that he prefers not to play with him because it encourages a long ball game. Well maybe its time for the Italian to eat a bit of humble pie and see that Crouch is much much more than that kind of player. Why would anybody choose Heskey over Crouch??! If they both fit the 'big man' tag alongside Rooney then how exactly can the excuse about the long ball game be used when Heskey is the sort of player that encourages such play. The big difference - Heskey doesn't score much, Crouch cannot stop scoring for England. His two goals tonight makes it almost a goal a game in his last 8 internationals. If Crouch unsettles defenders as much as Heskey does, yet also scores goals then maybe it's about time Capello experimented more with Rooney and Crouch from the start against Mexico.

PLAYER RATINGS


Robinson - 6 - A suprising starter bearing in mind the form of Hart and return to actin of James, but it seems Capello has decided on him as 1st choice. Didn't do anything wrong but to be fair wasn't hugely tested.

Brown - 6 - Was more attacking than Baines and seemed assured after a shaky start.

Upson - 5 - Was at fault for Egypt's goal and looked shaky all night. Should have been much better bearing in mind his teammate was in goal.

Terry - 7 - Given a hot reception by the crowd who certainly made their feelings towards him known. After his early slip that nearly cost England a goal, Terry was rock solid at the back. Controlled the back four and let his football do the talking.

Baines - 7 - Although he looked nervy in the opening exchanges, he put in an assured performance and staked a claim to be the main understudy for Cole at the World Cup.

Gerrard - 7 - At times was looking back to his best when surging forward, strayed inside alot in the first half but balanced his positioning much more to great effect in the 2nd half.

Lampard - 5 - Didn't get into the game too much, the 2 chances he did have he squandered.

Barry - 7 - Better than he's been in previous games, was much better playing alongside Carrick in the 2nd half.

Walcott - 5 - After a promising start he was all puff and no smoke. Threatened to show glimpses of the player who destroyed Croatia in the qualifiers but nowhere near fit enough and needs more playing time back at Arsenal.

Defoe - 6 - Had a couple of chances in 1st half but was substituted at half time. The teams problems in the 1st half couldn't have helped his stake for a starting bearth alongside Rooney.

Rooney - 7 - Had a few chances on the night, although he struggled to link up too well with Defoe, once Crouch came on they were formidable.

SUB: Carrick - 7 - Opened up the Egypt midfield 5 and made them look far more vulnerable. Worked well with Barry and supplied the strikers well.

SUB: Crouch - 8 - Once again proved that he is much more than a target man. Both goals at the end of great passing movements by England, and nearly pulled off another one of his fantastic acrobatic kicks.

SUB: Wright-Phillips - 7 - Was much more productive down the right hand side in 25 minutes than Walcott had been all game. Ran at the wingback and did well to get a goal.

SUB: Milner - 6 - Didn't have too much time to show his class, but is surely a certainty on the plane to South Africa with how well he's progressed of late.

SUB: C Cole - 6 - Too late to do anything.