SEAMAN IS FINISHED: THAT'S JUST HEAR'SAY
Arsenal's much-maligned shot-stopper made a total of seven saves to deny the Finns and two more than his opposite number Antti Niemi. His handling was also immaculate making a total of three catches and punches as "the ponytail" dispelled rumours that he is a spent force at international level.
After producing two quality stops to deny Jonatan Johansson in the first period, Seaman's coup de grace was a last gasp save reminiscent of Gordon Banks legendary palm away from Pele's downward header in 1970.
A perfectly-weighted cross from the left found Litmanen alone at the back post and the Liverpool talisman expertly guided his header inside the near post, but out of nowhere, Seaman reached out and preserved the Three Lions lead with a magnificent stop to break the hearts of Litmanen and his team-mates.
Seaman was openly criticised in November when England got their qualifying campaign off to a miserable start, when he was beaten by a long-range free-kick from Dietmar Hamann in the disastrous 1-0 defeat to Germany. And in recent friendlies, he saw David James and Nigel Martyn do their chances no harm at all with a series of competent displays, with Martyn even saving a penalty in last month's win over Spain.
But when it came to the serious business of World Cup qualification, Sven Goran Eriksson was fully justified in giving Safe Hands his 63rd cap. His 65% distribution rate was 15 percentage points higher than Hearts-based keeper Niemi and had an altogether more impressive saves-to-shots ratio of 88% compared to 71% from his Finnish counterpart.
In the Premiership this term Seaman has often been found wanting and lacking in confidence especially after Manchester United knocked him for six four weeks ago. But despite his rivals for the number one shirt, Martyn, James and Ipswich's Richard Wright all having a better saves to shots ratio in The Premiership, Seaman is now almost certain to start Wednesday's match in Albania.
And with Arsenal involved in a forthcoming Champions League quarter-final tie against Valencia and an FA Cup semi-final with Spurs on the horizon, it looks like being an exciting end to the season for David Seaman and his ponytail.
