England Get Much Needed Win

England got their much needed win at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium yesterday as they beat Group leaders Slovenia 1-0 to finish second behind the USA.

Their World Cup future hung in the balance going into the match and needed a win to secure their passage to the knock out phase of the competition, a draw would have been good enough if results in the other match when their way.

There had been unrest in the England camp since their miserable draw against Algeria last Friday, booed off the pitch and criticised by the press, the side were under huge pressure at kick off.

There were some changes to the line up as Upson replaced the suspended Jamie Carragher while Milner replaced Lennon in midfield and Defoe made his first start of the World Cup in place of Heskey.

But it wasn't a confident or dominant start from England in the opening minutes of the match and Slovenia showed that they may be a difficult side to break down.

But Capello's squad changes paid off in twenty second minute as some great play between Milner and Defoe secured the opening goal for England.

An impressive cross from Milner in the final third of the pitch fell to Defoe who fired home a close range shot to give England, and the fans, a little breathing space.

From the moment that the ball went into the net England looked a much more controlled and confident side as the pace quickened and they began to play like we all know that they can.

The chances to improve the scoreline came think and fast as both Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard had had goal scoring chances before half time, the latter would have found the back of the net if the skipper had just struck with more power.

But Slovenia weren't without their chances as Valter Birsa asked the most questions of David James in the opening forty five minutes, but the experienced James never looked in danger of letting the slender lead slip away.

Into the second half and Defoe almost made it two as he shot wide. The real trouble in the match was England were failing to convert the chances that were coming to them Terry had a header blocked and Rooney had a shot pushed onto the post.

Joe Cole replaced Rooney with less than twenty minutes to go, and it looks likes Rooney may be carrying a bit of an injury.

But Slovenia were not about to go with out a fight as they pushed in the closing stages of the match but they couldn't pull out an equaliser and England held onto their 1-0 lead.

After a last gasp winner from the USA, which leaves them top, England must be satisfied as Group C runners up and will now face Germany in the last sixteen.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw