Wednesday 1 April 2015 16:11, UK
Andros Townsend struck a superb equaliser 11 minutes from time to secure England a 1-1 draw in their Tuesday-night friendly with Italy. We take a look at the major talking points from the match...
Hodgson changed personnel to spark England into life
After all the positive talk following England’s 4-0 victory over Lithuania on Friday night – their seventh-straight win since the World Cup – the first-half in Turin brought supporters firmly back down to earth.
Although England enjoyed 55.4 per cent of the possession in the opening 45 minutes they failed to fire a single shot on target and fell behind when Giorgio Chiellini stepped inside Phil Jones and crossed for Graziano Pelle to open the scoring.
“Roy will be very disappointed with the way we’ve played,” former England caretaker boss Peter Taylor told Sky Sports News at the break. “We don’t look good enough defensively. Our centre-halves haven’t had enough protection and we’ve given the ball away in cheap areas.”
Hodgson acted, introducing Kyle Walker and Ross Barkley before unleashing Townsend with 20 minutes to play. The trio offered far more threat going forward than Nathaniel Clyne, Theo Walcott and Fabian Delph, while Michael Carrick – who replaced the concussed Chris Smalling just before half-time - took control of the ball.
The Manchester United midfielder completed 88.4 per cent of his passes and improved on the opposition-half pass success rate of Jones, who had begun the game in central midfield.
“England have been a lot more positive in the second half,” Taylor said after Townsend’s equaliser. “They’ve looked a good football team and a good counter-attacking team. We’ve certainly got some good athletes in the team and some good passers. And it’s nice to have some players like Barkley and Townsend who can go and beat people. All of a sudden, if you’re an opponent, they’re asking a lot more questions of you.”
Townsend stars for England again
Three goals for England, three superb strikes from outside the box in the final 20 minutes of matches. Andros Townsend is making a habit of delivering on the international stage and his fantastic equaliser in Turin demonstrated the threat he offers. Tottenham fans must wonder how he’s only managed one from open play all season in their colours.
“There’s been criticism of my call-up to the squad, as usual, but every time I put on the England shirt I’ve always done myself justice,” he told Sky Sports after the game.
“That’s my third goal in seven caps. It was important I came on tonight and silenced a few critics. As soon as the goal went in I was thinking about the people who were questioning my call-up.”
Michael Carrick makes England tick
Michael Carrick’s contribution often goes unrecognised but his introduction from the bench against Italy demonstrated the subtle – but important – impact he can have at the heart of the England team.
On a night when Hodgson’s men out-passed their opponents 530-339, Carrick was the catalyst for their forward play after he replaced Smalling and took over from Jones.
While Jones was turned inside out by Chiellini as Italy’s centre-half set up Italy's opener, Carrick managed England’s play with the ball. “Carrick really helped us,” said Taylor. “Jones didn’t look right there – although we know he can do a job. Carrick knows when to pass and the players trust him and give him the ball.”
Kane didn’t look out of place
While Harry Kane couldn't replicate his sensational debut goal against Lithuania, his performance at Juventus Stadium did demonstrate his ability to cause problems for top class defenders.
Within 30 seconds he received a painful introduction to the contest from Chiellini but showed his power in the air in the build-up to Rooney hitting the bar on 20 minutes, before nearly putting Jordan Henderson through on goal with a clever through-ball.
His running battle with Chiellini continued into the penalty area, where the Italian was perhaps fortunate not to concede a first-half spot-kick for tugging Kane’s shirt, before the striker struck the side-netting with a long range effort, combined with Rooney to tee-up Kieran Gibbs and almost found his captain with a low cross.
The Tottenham frontman can be more than satisfied with his introduction to international football.
How much can we read into the result and performance?
England are now unbeaten in nine successive internationals and their second-half step-up in performance was commendable. But how much can Hodgson really read into a draw against an Italian side which started with just two players who began the 2-1 win over England at the World Cup last summer?
Billed as England’s chance to test themselves against a ‘big’ nation after a relatively easy ride in the European Qualifiers, Hodgson’s side struggled in the first half against a team which featured six players with only 20 international caps between them. They slipped behind to a goal from Pelle, a forward who has one in 16 for Southampton.
Theo Walcott failed to impress up front alongside Kane – no starting outfielder had fewer touches (14) or made as few passes (six) as the Arsenal man – while Rooney once again highlighted his greater threat leading the line than playing a deeper role – although a cross-field ball to Walcott demonstrated his fantastic passing range.
England don’t play another top-ten team until France come to Wembley in November. They may have assured their place at Euro 2016 by then, but their progress from the World Cup is likely to remain hard to judge.
