England coach Roy Hodgson insists that his side deserved their point against Ukraine and was pleased with their performance.
England boss insists they could have won
England coach Roy Hodgson insists that his side deserved their point against Ukraine.
Hodgson says he was delighted with some of the football played at Wembley, despite the fact the Three Lions needed a late penalty from Frank Lampard to rescue a point.
Ukraine went ahead just before half-time through Yevhen Konoplyanka's brilliant curling effort.
But despite the late drama, Hodgson told
Sky Sports that he was more than happy with how his charges played.
"I think we deserved our equaliser," Hodgson said on
Sky Sports NewsHD. I was very pleased with the way we kept probing and trying to play our football, and kept asking questions even though the post got in the way and dangerous situations were passing us by and we were unable to profit by them but I think we really did deserve to get back into it.
"The result I suppose, there is the element of relief, and as the clock was ticking away and you're still losing your staring down the barrel of defeat."
Red card
Jermain Defoe saw a first-half goal ruled out for a push just before he fired home from 25 yards, and Hodgson says the decision was harsh. He also bemoaned the late red card dished out to skipper Steven Gerrard.
"That goal was similar to the one they scored, it was a wonderful strike that left the keeper chanceless. Ours was harshly disallowed and I was disappointed with the amount of yellow cards and one cost Steven Gerrard the red card," he continued.
"I think we were so in control of the game at the end had Steven stayed on we might have got ourselves a winner but we were lucky against Ukraine to win in Euros and they played well and they worked hard, so we can't begrudge them their point but I was really pleased with some of our football tonight."
