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Have your say on the game on the Message Board Malta 1 -v- 2 England
If Kevin Keegan had been worried about over-expectation building ahead of the European Championships, England's visit to Malta at least achieved one thing apart from a break in the sun. But that was about it as only Nick Barmby, who is strongly pressing his claims for a starting place after only just returning to the squad following a lengthy absence, impressed in an unimpressive 2-1 win which could easily have been surrendered at the end. All that was missing from Barmby's industrious and creative display down the problematic left flank was a goal but he threatened regularly and was the chief, and often only, inspiration within the entire England side. Indeed, having returned to England on a tide of hype following his recent displays for Champions League winners, Steve McManaman could now find himself struggling to make the first game of the tournament against Portugal. For the Everton midfielder shone out from the crowd of mediocrity in the rest of the side, with the defence worryingly exposed for its weaknesses in distribution and ability to be caught on the counter-attack. Barmby, who was not even in Keegan's thoughts back in February, also laid on the 75th-minute winner for Emile Heskey - his first international goal - after an unfortunate own goal by debutant keeper Richard Wright had cancelled out Martin Keown's opener. Indeed, Wright, who brought down David Carabott for a penalty for that opening Maltese goal - which struck the post and went back in off his body - ended the game as England's saviour. For after conceding a second penalty with two minutes left, he promptly saved it with his legs and then denied substitute Nenad Veselji from point-blank range in the final seconds. At least there did not seem to be any injuries though in a game strewn with substitutions and Keegan will hope that the memories of this friendly will be firmly forgotten by the time the tournament starts next week. The bandwagon, which was building speed following the draw against Brazil and win against Ukraine, has nevertheless slowed and the opposition were, however motivated, complete minnows in terms of European football, being the seventh smallest country in the world. So if Keegan's side had been looking for a confidence boost and a gentle and literal warm-up in the heat, while also helping the 2006 World Cup bid team who were in attendance, they were sadly disappointed. Malta strung five man across the back, another four in midfield and were happy to sit back but it was the lack of any solution to that problem which was most worrying as England's free men at the back ponderously failed to bring the ball out or to pass it accurately. Indeed, that weakness in distribution from defence, especially in the absence of Tony Adams, is a warning sign that has been evident in the past against far more open sides. The lack of width will also have made Keegan think about his starting formation - 4-4-2 - while David Beckham was forced inside to search for the ball as the service to him out wide had been little short of non-existent. In the centre, he merely ran into a congested crowd of bodies and the one bright spark, apart from Kevin Phillips' willing running, was Barmby as he energetically foraged all over the pitch. At least England still managed to go ahead, although Keown first thought he had scored in the 11th minute only to have that ruled out for offside. The next time that the Arsenal defender had the ball in the net did count though as he stooped to head home at the far post - and again, unsurprisingly, Beckham was the creator with a free-kick. That goal did little, however, to mask the problems that England were encountering, not only in midfield but also in defence. For Malta threatened several times to break through on the counter-attack with high balls over the top which left the back-four looking flat-footed and out of position. Two efforts were deflected wide but finally the home side punished England's sloppiness as Wright brought down the onrushing figure of David Carabott. There may have been little apparent contact but the Ipswich keeper was still way out of position and although Carabott scored, the penalty had to be retaken and this time the ball rebounded off the post and back into the net off Wright's body. It was the second time that he had scored an own goal of that nature in the space of a week following the First Division play-off final - and this on his England debut. At the other end, Barmby meanwhile placed a header from Gary Neville's cross - one of only a handful in the first-half - too close to the keeper when unmarked and mis-kicked a half-chance. Alan Shearer was even more culpable as he shot wide when well-placed, had another effort deflected wide by the keeper when clean through and wasted a free-kick position seemingly made for Beckham, while Phillips hit the side-netting after Barmby put him clear. Shearer, who has not scored in six games for England now, also failed to impress with his hold-up play, while only a last-ditch tackle by Gary Neville on Turner saved England after the restart. Indeed Shearer, who after all is guaranteed his starting-place against Portugal by Keegan, was the first player taken off by England, being replaced by Emile Heskey after just 51 minutes. Robbie Fowler joined him soon afterwards to replace Phillips but not before Barmby had almost gloriously chipped the keeper. Countless more chances went begging as Paul Scholes fired over the bar, Campbell hurried a diving header wide when he should have controlled it and Heskey headed over from a superb run and cross by Barmby. The Liverpool striker simply could not miss a minute later, however, when Barmby laid England's second goal on a plate for him. Barmby deserved a goal himself but was denied with a volley, Fowler headed wide and Steve McManaman scuffed an effort off target. However, England were still fortunate to escape with a win after Wright had to save Carabott's late penalty after bringing down Veselji, whom he also denied with a superb save. It has been some week for the Ipswich keeper, whose late save also helped to secure Ipswich's Premiership place at Wembley but the end of that week will be one that Keegan, meanwhile, would probably rather wish to quickly forget. |
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