|
|
 |
| |
Spurs winger Aaron Lennon turned in his best display for England in the 5-1 hammering of Croatia |
Live wire Lennon brings Croatia down to earth
Visitors can't keep pace with Spurs flyer, and pay penalty
WORLD CUP QUALIFIER
WEMBLEY STADIUM
England 5 Croatia 1
AARON Lennon helped England book their place in next summer's World Cup last night (Wednesday) with a man-of-the-match performance against Croatia at Wembley.
The Spurs winger staked a claim for a place on England's right flank in the South African showpiece with an scintillating first 45 minutes, sending out a message to Arsenal's Theo Walcott in the process.
It is almost impossible to separate Lennon and Walcott, from their wiry physiques, to their nimble and speedy styles on the pitch.
Most importantly of all, they have now both put in electrifying displays against Croatia.
Few fans will forget the night that Walcott scored a stunning hat-trick in Zagreb to lead England to a 4-1 victory.
Exactly one year on, and the nation is again waking up to the jubilant feeling that such a comprehensive win brings - only this time it was Lennon who stole the show.
With the two players sharing such striking similarities, it's unclear whether or not Fabio Capello will be keen to take both of them to the World Cup.
What is clear, however, is that if the England manager does decide to only pick one of them, Lennon is now in pole position as Walcott continues to struggling with injuries.
In front of an expectant Wembley crowd, it was Lennon's run into the box that led to the opening goal.
He was hauled down by Josip Simunic, allowing Frank Lampard to open the scoring from the penalty spot after seven minutes.
Lennon then delivered the perfect cross for Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard to double England's lead with a firm header at the far post 11 minutes later.
England continued to create chances and only Croatia keeper Vedran Runje's defiance stopped them adding further goals before the interval.
Lampard got his second just before the hour when he headed in Glen Johnson's excellent cross and Gerrard grabbed his second from Wayne Rooney's lofted cross seven minutes later.
Arsenal striker Eduardo denied England their elusive clean sheet when he scored from close range, before Rooney took advantage of Runje's sliced clearance to add the finishing touches to an emphatic 5-1 victory.
The only downside to such commanding performance is that four of the five goals came from right side of the pitch as England again failed to find a telling outlet on the left.
It is a problem that Capello will have to solve if England are to stand any real chance of winning the World Cup next summer. |
 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
