Terry leads Capello charge

Carson clanger cancelled out by captain

By Peter Fraser   Last updated: 20th November 2008

Terry leads Capello charge

Terry and Upson: England's heroes

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A late John Terry header ensured England continued their resurgence under Fabio Capello with a 2-1 victory over Germany in Berlin to end 2008 on a high.

England travelled to the German capital ravaged by injuries and surrounded by debate regarding the importance of Wednesday's friendly, but Capello's side produced a thoroughly convincing display to secure a fifth successive win.

The Three Lions - who recorded a famous 5-1 success on their last visit to Germany - took a scrappy lead in the 23rd minute as centre-back Matthew Upson poked home after Rene Adler had flapped at a Stewart Downing corner.

After the interval, England continued to enjoy the better of proceedings but substitute goalkeeper Scott Carson endured a horrible mix-up with Terry to allow Germany striker Patrick Helmes to equalise on 63 minutes.

The game, both sides' final outing of the year, then continued in entertaining, end-to-end, fashion and England winger Shaun Wright-Phillips rattled a post from range.

England, though, then ensured Germany suffered their first defeat in Berlin since 1973 as Terry met a Downing free-kick to head in with six minutes remaining.

When the Three Lions analyse 2008, there will be a massive gap in the middle when they should have been at the European Championship.

That absence was not Capello's fault of course. Yet if the by-product of two years' failure under Steve McClaren is a coach with vision, willpower and knowledge, maybe the pain was worthwhile.

Evolve

Capello has always said his is an evolving process. And this England was markedly different to the one he turned out against Switzerland last February, both in performance and personnel.

Only three of the players that started against a German side lacking Michael Ballack, Philipp Lahm and Torsten Frings featured against the Swiss, when England were hesitant, fearful and fortunate to win.

However, it appeared they had spent the intervening nine months training together every day such was the cohesion they showed and adherence to a gameplan Capello has vowed there was no need to change despite suffering the loss of so many major players.

Germany's only first-half threat came through the excellent set piece delivery of Bastian Schweinsteiger, with Heiko Westermann sending a powerful header just over.

It never could be another 1966, 1970, 1990, 1996 or 2001 but the noise of German fans whistling their own team off the field at the interval in its own way provided a memory to cherish.

The major disappointment was England only had one goal to shout about by the break.

Aside from a good effort from debutant Gabriel Agbonlahor, Wright-Phillips came close on a couple of occasions and Downing forced an excellent save out of Adler.

The shot-stopper was less convincing when England opened the scoring as he came to punch Downing's corner with purpose after an Upson effort had been deflected wide. He missed it completely.

Memorable

Agbonlahor probably should have bundled home. Instead, the ball bounced down off the striker and Upson launched himself at it, prodding his first England goal into an empty net.

In four successive appearances, Upson looks accomplished and more than just a mere stand-in. The same is true of Downing. And, after nutmegging Schweinsteiger, he drilled a low shot narrowly wide.

After the half-time break, Wright-Phillips nearly scored in memorable fashion after a mazy run before substitute Darren Bent beat the German offside trap, skipped round replacement keeper Tim Wiese and looked to tap into an empty net.

Had he done so, the game would have been over. Instead, with glory beckoning he half tripped over his own feet, half lost his balance. The result was a glaring miss.

The consequences were huge as England's age old capacity to shoot themselves in the foot reared its ugly head again.

As he could see the whole picture, in particular Helmes bearing down at some speed, Carson, on his first England appearance since his nightmare against Croatia 12 months ago, should have taken charge of the situation.

Sensing hesitation, Terry should simply have whacked it onto the running track behind the visitors' goal.

Between them they did neither, allowing Helmes to stick out a leg as Terry tried to shepherd the ball to Carson, nudge it through the helpless keeper's legs and gleefully skip past.

That England recovered their composure so quickly is another glowing testament to Capello's managerial abilities.

When Wright-Phillips saw his thunderbolt shot crash to safety off a post 11 minutes from time, it seemed the win England wanted would elude them. Terry had other ideas.

The Chelsea defender met a chipped free-kick from Downing - who was excellent throughout - to secure a merited success.

GermanyTeam StatisticsEngland
1Goals2
01st Half Goals1
3Shots on Target6
4Shots off Target5
3Blocked Shots3
3Corners6
11Fouls15
0Offsides5
0Yellow Cards1
0Red Cards0
75Passing Success72.6
28Tackles24
75Tackles Success75
55.4Possession44.6
48.1Territorial Advantage51.9

Comments (16)

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Daniel Mccarthy (Middlesbrough fan) says...

I just want to say all those who boo Downing in previous matches need to give the guy a break, he showed and proved last night that he is more than capable of a regular England place. He was, in my opinion the best player on the pitch last night. Not only did he set up BOTH goals, he also helped Wayne Bridge when tracking back on more than enough occasions. He is a natural left winger, something that England need. I'm glad Capello has shown faith in him and think he will be a great first team player given the chance. Anyway who needs Lampard, Joe Cole, Wes Brown etc, the team last night was a very well balanced team and they proved that they could match a good team like Germany.

Posted 16:07 20th November 2008

Miss B (Chelsea fan) says...

Brilliant to see John Terry showing his leadership skills! If/when he makes a mistake he will always hold him hand up to admit it! 9 times out of 10 he always makes up for it! Like last night for example by scoring the winner! Well done John!

Posted 14:11 20th November 2008

Simon Davis (Exeter City fan) says...

Not the best of games but Carrick and Barry did what England need, hold back and allow our wingers time and space to run with the ball. I still cant get over how everyone is moaning at the truely injuried players and praising Terry. This is the guy who couldnt play for England and then 2 days later play for Chelski, he is not a great example of an England captian. I mean did Shearer ever miss friendlies at a drop of a hat? But to give him credit last night at least he made up for his mistake.

Posted 13:17 20th November 2008

Jonathan Tailford says...

John Terry is a born leader and a very good defender. Most players wouldnt take the blame for a mistake..he has openly said he was totally at fault. It takes a big man to shoulder the blame.

Posted 13:00 20th November 2008

Paul Cook (Fulham fan) says...

It was a good performance but people saying that they should leave out Gerrard and Lamps after the way Barry and Carrick played its laughable they caused no goal threat what so ever all they did was sit back and guard the back 4 all night not once did i see a shot or a killer pass from either of them remember both are goals came from Set pieces and both by defenders we didnt really create much all night. Ofcourse there are some positives to take from the game but we have seen it before alot of players such as Downing fantastic in friendlys put them in a real game of importance and they buckle under the pressure.

Posted 12:31 20th November 2008

Dean Machin (Wrexham fan) says...

Barry and Carrick 1st choice midfield!! get a grip!! This is typical England, if they had played poorly together, they would now be getting slated for it! The game was a Friendly!!! A chance for the manager to try new faces. Lampard and Gerrard are two of the best central midfielders in the world, if they don't walk back into the team, Capello will be looking for another job!!

Posted 12:31 20th November 2008

Ian Campbell (Shrewsbury Town fan) says...

Great performance, the whole team worked hard and wanted to win. Give Joe Hart more chances when he's fit. Keep Beckham out of the limelight and we will do well in South Africa.Well done J.T and Wright-Philips

Posted 12:13 20th November 2008

Michael Evans says...

Typical of England - you wait years for a decent team, and then two come along at once !!

Posted 12:03 20th November 2008

Ray Blezard (Arsenal fan) says...

Can anyone remember how England went on to dominate the world game after the 5:1 defeat of Germany?......neither can I!!! Good result....promising understudy performances BUT....

Posted 11:50 20th November 2008

John Clarke says...

Typical John Terry, made a mistake, admits it and scores the winner. What a leader. Never goes missing, leads by example. Great England performance and did we miss those out "injured". Maybe they will have second thoughts next time.

Posted 08:01 20th November 2008

Julie Robinshaw (Aston Villa fan) says...

Well, last night said it all .... for me you can leave out the lazy overpaid primadonas with their accompanying over inflated egoes ...and let the team that wanted to "work"... with a most genuine honesty with each other and for each other working like I haven't seen before .... goodness me .. did it show .. well done you Guy's all of you.. you did us all so very proud ... They were ALL proud to pull on an England shirt ..and they ALL won my vote .... They can now hold their heads up with dignity and respect ... thankyou, excellent

Posted 07:52 20th November 2008

Carlo Marshall (West Bromwich Albion fan) says...

Why is everyone pinning the Germany Goal on Carson. People refuse to say it was Terry who made the mistake. Carson was on his line and the ball was 10 yards outside box when terry tried pathetically to shephard it out, my nan could have done a better job. If it was further into the area then granted Carson should of came out to claim but Terry should of put it in the stands before it got near the box. Its all forgotten now though cause Terry got the equaliser and of course he plays for Chelsea so he cant make a mistake can he you know being a pundits favourite and all?? or did he make a few school boy errors last night! Ah well pin it on Carson cause he plays for the Albion- easy target! As for the drop outs- leave them out. England looked hungry for once and actually played with some pride, the dropouts want to take note and should now have to earn there place.

Posted 07:48 20th November 2008

Tom Harvey (Norwich City fan) says...

What a silly thing to say?? Of course players like Gerrard, Ferdinand and Rooney should return to the team... Last night was a friendly, a chance for the fringe players to shine! Now we know they can perform (against an also very weakened German side) then we know the first team players need to up their performances... All in all a great night for Capello and his "second team"

Posted 07:44 20th November 2008

Phoebe Ford says...

No longer should we have the debate about Gerrard & Lampard in the midfield, we saw in Berlin what I believe is our 1st choice midfield, Carrick & Barry, they were superb. If either is dropped in favour of G or L then it would be based on favouritism rather than skill

Posted 07:16 20th November 2008

Austin Space says...

Here we go again ... everyone is claiming that England are world beaters. Apart from Carson and Bent, the team played well against Germany. HOWEVER, the opposition played very poorly, and would have struggled against anyone last night. There are reasonable grounds for optimism, but please don't get carried away - nothing of any substance has been achieved yet!!

Posted 06:54 20th November 2008

Chris Parsons (Derby County fan) says...

England were epic tonight. South Africa here we come! Capello is a genius and all those 'injured' players should not get back in the team!!!

Posted 23:17 19th November 2008
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