RSS
ATOM
advertisement
England Under-21s 3-0 Lithuania Under-21s: Danny Welbeck fires Stuart Pearce's side to the European Championship play-offs
Sunderland loanee on top form...
|
Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £100 in free bets! |
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
Sign up with Paddy Power for a free bet up to £50 |
7 Sep 2010 17:51:00
By Matt Monaghan
A Danny Welbeck inspired England under-21 side sealed progression to next summer's European Championship play-offs with a 3-0 victory against Lithuania under-21s.
With the group winners spot taken by Greece, manager Stuart Pearce's side had to win at Colchester United's Weston Homes Community Stadium to grab one of four best runners-up spots.
Pearce selected the same side that beat Portugal 1-0 on Friday night. This meant there was no place for fully capped Arsenal star Jack Wilshere.
The hosts started the game brightly and should have been ahead on 10 minutes. A perfect cross from Bertrand found Sturridge on the penalty spot, and with time to take a touch, the Chelsea striker snatched his shot wide.
A miscommunication between centre-backs Jones and Smalling almost took the wind out of their sails on 20 minutes, however. A loose header from Jones saw Smalling rush out of position, with the ball eventually coming to Zulpa who could only sky over.
The Lithuanian's picked up their third booking of the half 10 minutes later when Zulpa scythed down Rose. From the subsequent free-kick, the Tottenham star wasted a clear chance when played in by smart interplay from Welbeck and Sturridge.
Another mistake nearly let the visitors in again. Fridrikas fired a weak free-kick into the ground, but goalkeeper Fielding had his post to thank as he spilled the ball onto it.
Pearce was quick to make a change at half-time as the nations' dream of reaching the finals ebbed away. Wilshere was called on to replace Walker, with Mancienne dropping to right-back.
The change was paid off with an immediate increase in attacking intent. Three corners were forced in the first five minutes, with Rose, Cleverley and Sturridge coming close to finding the opener.
Sturridge was again wasteful in front of goal in the 55th minute after being slid in by a delightful pass from Wigan Athletic loan star Cleverley. His weak shot was easily kept out by Cerniauskas from six yards.
A few minutes later, Manchester United trio Cleverley, Welbeck and Smalling nearly combined to break the deadlock. A testing cross from Cleverley was flapped into Smalling's path by Cerniauskas, but Welbeck could get no purchase on his header.
England's endeavour was finally rewarded on the hour mark as Welbeck finished a smart move. Cleverley was again at the heart of it as a dynamic exchange with substitute Wilshere from the halfway line to the penalty box played in the Sunderland loanee who slotted home from a tight angle.
Sturridge was denied again on 74 minutes as he had a goal correctly ruled out for offside. The Chelsea star had been set up by a cute through ball from goalscorer Welbeck and had rounded the goalkeeper in vain.
The home crowd's nerves were finally settled on 78 minutes when substitute Albrighton put them two goals ahead. The Aston Villa man was on hand at the back post to nudge in a Welbeck cross hit in from the outside of his boot.
Welbeck then got his name on the score sheet again as he slotted home a Henderson flick from close range after good work from Wilshere on 90 minutes.
England now go into Friday's draw with their place secured for the play-offs to reach the competition in Denmark.
With the group winners spot taken by Greece, manager Stuart Pearce's side had to win at Colchester United's Weston Homes Community Stadium to grab one of four best runners-up spots.
Pearce selected the same side that beat Portugal 1-0 on Friday night. This meant there was no place for fully capped Arsenal star Jack Wilshere.
The hosts started the game brightly and should have been ahead on 10 minutes. A perfect cross from Bertrand found Sturridge on the penalty spot, and with time to take a touch, the Chelsea striker snatched his shot wide.
A miscommunication between centre-backs Jones and Smalling almost took the wind out of their sails on 20 minutes, however. A loose header from Jones saw Smalling rush out of position, with the ball eventually coming to Zulpa who could only sky over.
The Lithuanian's picked up their third booking of the half 10 minutes later when Zulpa scythed down Rose. From the subsequent free-kick, the Tottenham star wasted a clear chance when played in by smart interplay from Welbeck and Sturridge.
Another mistake nearly let the visitors in again. Fridrikas fired a weak free-kick into the ground, but goalkeeper Fielding had his post to thank as he spilled the ball onto it.
Pearce was quick to make a change at half-time as the nations' dream of reaching the finals ebbed away. Wilshere was called on to replace Walker, with Mancienne dropping to right-back.
The change was paid off with an immediate increase in attacking intent. Three corners were forced in the first five minutes, with Rose, Cleverley and Sturridge coming close to finding the opener.
Sturridge was again wasteful in front of goal in the 55th minute after being slid in by a delightful pass from Wigan Athletic loan star Cleverley. His weak shot was easily kept out by Cerniauskas from six yards.
A few minutes later, Manchester United trio Cleverley, Welbeck and Smalling nearly combined to break the deadlock. A testing cross from Cleverley was flapped into Smalling's path by Cerniauskas, but Welbeck could get no purchase on his header.
England's endeavour was finally rewarded on the hour mark as Welbeck finished a smart move. Cleverley was again at the heart of it as a dynamic exchange with substitute Wilshere from the halfway line to the penalty box played in the Sunderland loanee who slotted home from a tight angle.
Sturridge was denied again on 74 minutes as he had a goal correctly ruled out for offside. The Chelsea star had been set up by a cute through ball from goalscorer Welbeck and had rounded the goalkeeper in vain.
The home crowd's nerves were finally settled on 78 minutes when substitute Albrighton put them two goals ahead. The Aston Villa man was on hand at the back post to nudge in a Welbeck cross hit in from the outside of his boot.
Welbeck then got his name on the score sheet again as he slotted home a Henderson flick from close range after good work from Wilshere on 90 minutes.
England now go into Friday's draw with their place secured for the play-offs to reach the competition in Denmark.
Our 
provides the best breaking news online and our 
football fan community is unmatched worldwide. Never miss a thing again!
provides the best breaking news online and our football fan community is unmatched worldwide. Never miss a thing again!| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £100 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power for a free bet up to £50 |
|
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
5 Comments
Advertisement
Inside Goal.Com
-
Former Liverpool defender John Scales picks key battles ahead of Manchester United clash
The former Reds defender believes that the Uruguayan must put controversy to the back of his mind when his team face the champions
-
Welbeck, Chicharito or Berbatov - who should partner Rooney against Liverpool?
Chicharito came off the bench to hand Sir Alex Ferguson's side a point against Chelsea on Sunday, and gave the Scot a selection headache ahead of fierce derby game
-
Manchester United - Liverpool Preview: Dalglish's men looking for repeat of FA Cup win against rivals
The Reds' away record makes for slightly better reading then their home form, having won two their last five on the road, including a 1-0 victory over Manchester City at Eastlands
-
'Sir Alex would win the league with Liverpool' - Fans of both clubs look ahead to Saturday showdown
Goal.com readers put their questions to supporters from the Red Devils and the Merseysiders ahead of the much-anticipated Premier League clash at Old Trafford
-
Can Luis Suarez repeat Eric Cantona's grand comeback when Liverpool face Manchester United?
The divisive Uruguayan can look to history when he starts against United on Saturday for the first time since receiving an eight-match ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra
Advertisement
Advertisement
