World Cup Diary 16. England Flash then Flail.

England lost Michael Owen and then settled down to a fine first half performance that featured a fancy Joe Cole strike from 35 yards.

The England players appeared to have the edge in quality and imagination and were roaming the edge of the Swedish box with intent. Rooney looked in a league of his own.

Lampard continued to help himself to pot shots rather than use the possession and Carragher's distribution looked poor while Beckhams dead ball play was not 100%. Hargreaves was backing up the midfield and adding mobility to the cover and the two Coles carried on combining on the left.

Then a good Swedish corner was brilliantly flicked on by Allback and into the net. Beckham was the front post man and Robinson was no-where.

Soon Sweden were rattling the bar twice as chaos broke out in the England defence - and Gerrard cleared off the line. It was a fine mess with the keeper and central defenders getting done by high balls to the back post.

Gerrard buried Joe Coles crafted cross with a powerful straight header and England looked cool again and the stadium was beginning to rock.

Then John Terry missed his header from a Swedish long throw, Sol Campbell missed his kick, Robinson saw it late and Ashley Cole looked on as the ball slobbed into the net. It was good, bad and indifferent but England go on. They have a lot of talent. Come On England.