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Let’s be honest here, two goals over three games in a group The Sun christened “EASY” (England, Algeria, Slovenia, Yanks) won’t be causing any of the other nations to shake in their boots, but we’re though and that’s all that counts.
James Milner was given the nod to start on the right against Slovenia for the final group game with England requiring a win to ensure progression. Fortunately his confidence didn’t seem dented following his horror show against USA in the first game, although he was a little cheap with possession during the opening 10 or 15 minutes.
However, he settled well, his discipline hugging the right touchline gave England the width they needed and it was quite fitting that it was Milner’s cross that provided the opportunity for Jermaine Defoe to fire in the only goal of the game midway through the first half.
Emile Heskey came on for the closing minutes in place of the goal scorer after Joe Cole had already replaced the disappointing Wayne Rooney whose strike against the post turns out to the difference between topping the group and finishing second. That might be a little harsh over 270 minutes of football, but it remains a fact that had that rippled the net, England would have held pole position going into the next round.
As it turns out, the United States managed to top the group after Landon Donovan found the winning goal in injury time of a thrilling game against Algeria. Over the course of the group’s games, especially considering their last minute winner against Slovenia being chalked off, the USA are probably top of the pile on merit.
As much as I would have loved to have seen England getting the theoretical advantage going into the knock out stages, I’m just thrilled that they’ve made it at all and that it was both England and USA to make it through, regardless of the order.
All 4 teams in Group D could still qualify, so we wait to see the results from the final games; Ghana vs Germany and Australia vs Serbia, to determine our opponents for Sunday. The only team it can’t be is Australia, but the Aussies could still make it through to face USA if they beat Serbia and the Germans lose to Ghana.
Let’s be honest, it’s going to be Germany, isn’t it?
And we’ll finally play brilliantly.
But it will go to penalties.
And we’ll lose.
Again.
[Photo via: Daylife]
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4 Comments to “Milner Shines As England Scrape Into The Next Round”
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I’m watching Germ V Ghana and it’s HT.
Atm, we’ll face Ghana.
Tbh, I’ll take either of them if we can play as well as we know we can.
I think it’s about confidence with our mob.
We looked like rabbits caught in headlights for the first two games, but today was much better.
Contrary to the commentators trying to talk things up, I thought we were pretty comfortably the better side today.
Just as well, as I wasn’t convinced we’d be able to shake off whatever it was earlier.
The point in hand; yes, Milner played a blinder imo and provided a good outlet, linking up well with (as much as I can’t stand him as a defender) Glen Johnson.
Slightly mixed feelings, as part of me wanted Milner to be crap, so he stays with us.
That’s not realistic though is it?
You were not alone in wanting Milner to have a quiet World Cup. But since it seems almost an inevitability that he is leaving, he might as well appreciate in value as much as possible. The fate of the English national team is not of much interest to me, but I certainly hope he does well against Germany, perhaps the last time he will be referred to as “Aston Villa midfielder James Milner.”
maybe that 4-0 over the aussies flattered to deceive, i’m not sure what to make of this german side after 3 games now. doesn’t matter, that’s who we’ve got, so we’ll have to beat them. simple as that.
i’m probably naive, but i’m not resigned to milner going yet.
As I said before, I would love him to stay, as he is the kind of person and player to build a team around, but if the figures being thrown around of up to 30 million from Man City or Chelsea are close to accurate, is there any way the economics of the game can keep him at Villa?