Trialist
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55
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almost 17 years
Trialist
0
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55
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almost 17 years
Sounds like the pundits have decided to play nice with beckham...


David Beckham inspired England to a comfortable Euro 2008 qualifier win against Estonia in Tallinn to ease the pressure on coach Steve McClaren.

Joe Cole broke the deadlock after 36 minutes, turning sweetly to volley home Peter Crouch's flick.

Crouch doubled England's lead eight minutes after the break when he headed home a superb Beckham cross.

Beckham then provided a far post cross for Michael Owen to add England's third after 61 minutes. <!-- E SF -->

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It was a professional display from England that sets them up for the crucial qualifying tests against Croatia and Russia.

And as well as Beckham confirming his return to the international stage before limping off with an ankle injury, Owen will also be delighted to be back on target for England after his lengthy absence with a serious knee injury.

England, as expected, recalled Crouch up front alongside Owen, and he had a hand in the goal that finally broke the deadlock.

McClaren's side had been made to work hard for their advantage against a resilient, but desperately limited, Estonia side.

Crouch side-footed only inches wide from the edge of the area as England dominated possession without making an early breakthrough.

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606: DEBATE
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Beckham was a major source of danger, despite struggling after twisting an ankle early on, sending a dipping shot just wide.

He also created confusion in the Estonia area in the 28th minute, keeper Mart Poom palming out his free-kick to Owen, but the striker was unable to turn home the rebound.

England were finally ahead nine minutes before the interval, when Cole turned and scored brilliantly after Crouch flicked on Wayne Bridge's throw-in.

But Estonia were almost gifted an equaliser on the stroke of half-time when Vladimir Voskoboinikov was only denied by Paul Robinson's brave block after evading Ledley King and John Terry.

England, however, finished off Estonia with a double strike after the break, with Beckham the creator on both occasions.

After 53 minutes he curled in a superb right-flank cross which Crouch headed beyond Poom.

And eight minutes later he set up Owen for a far post finish that gave the Newcastle striker a record 23rd competitive goal for his country.

Beckham left the field to an ovation from England's fans after 67 minutes, still nursing an ankle injury, to be replaced by Kieron Dyer.

The only other downside on England's night was a late booking for Crouch which rules him out of the qualifier with Israel at Wembley in September.

Estonia almost claimed their first goal of the qualifying campaign in injury time, but captain John Terry cleared off the line from Tarmo Kink.

Estonia: Poom, Jaager, Stepanov, Kruglov, Klavan, Dmitrijev, Lindpere, Vassiljev, Konsa (Neemelo 46), Voskoboinikov, Terehhov (Kink 64).
Subs Not Used: Kotenko, Barengrub, Rooba, Leetma, Kams.

England: Robinson, Brown, Terry, King, Bridge, Beckham (Dyer 68), Gerrard, Lampard, Cole (Downing 75), Crouch, Owen (Jenas 88).
Subs Not Used: Carson, Carragher, Smith, Defoe.

Booked: Crouch.

Goals: Cole 37, Crouch 54, Owen 62.

Att: 11,000

First Team Squad
270
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1.9K
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almost 17 years
I can't belive McClown's quotes after the game. He said something like "anyone will be afraid to come to Wembley, the way we are playing at the moment". A draw against half a Brazilian side and a 3-0 win against one of Europe's minnows and the guy thinks he's created a team of world beaters!
On the positive side, it sounds like Beckham was even better than against Brazil, and Owen and Crouch both got on the scoresheet.
On the negative, he started, yes s-t-a-r-t-e-d with Wes Friggin Brown and brought on Jenas the P*nis, admittedly late in the game. Both should never even be allowed near the hallowed shirt. Nicky Shorey was replaced by Wayne Bridge after a very strong debut (wrong choice IMHO) and on the bench was Scott Carson rather than Robert Green. Carson was shaky for Charlton in the last few months whereas Green was one of the inform keepers.
I maintain that McClaren is quite simply not up to the job. Get rid and replace him with Wenger or Coppell.
Marquee
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7.3K
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about 17 years
TheJam wrote:
I can't belive McClown's quotes after the game. He said something like "anyone will be afraid to come to Wembley, the way we are playing at the moment". A draw against half a Brazilian side and a 3-0 win against one of Europe's minnows and the guy thinks he's created a team of world beaters!
On the positive side, it sounds like Beckham was even better than against Brazil, and Owen and Crouch both got on the scoresheet.
On the negative, he started, yes s-t-a-r-t-e-d with Wes Friggin Brown and brought on Jenas the P*nis, admittedly late in the game. Both should never even be allowed near the hallowed shirt. Nicky Shorey was replaced by Wayne Bridge after a very strong debut (wrong choice IMHO) and on the bench was Scott Carson rather than Robert Green. Carson was shaky for Charlton in the last few months whereas Green was one of the inform keepers.
I maintain that McClaren is quite simply not up to the job. Get rid and replace him with Wenger or Coppell.
 
I'd go a step further and say get rid of him and replace him with a strategically shaved monkey
First Team Squad
270
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1.9K
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almost 17 years
First Team Squad
3
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1.4K
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about 17 years
First Team Squad
270
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1.9K
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almost 17 years
I always thought Dennis Wise to be one of the most inappropriately named players (and now managers) in English football. That was until Peter Crouch came along...
Trialist
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68
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almost 17 years
Skaman wrote:
Denis Wise for next England manager.
Marquee
300
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5K
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about 17 years
TheJam wrote:
I always thought Dennis Wise to be one of the most inappropriately named players (and now managers) in English football. That was until Peter Crouch came along...
Reading the Guardian knowledge section they mention a footballer called Franco Foda which means "f**king for free" in Portugese. http://football.guardian.co.uk/theknowledge/story/0,,2095962,00.html
Starting XI
120
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2.7K
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almost 17 years
TheJam wrote:
I can't belive McClown's quotes after the game. He said something like "anyone will be afraid to come to Wembley, the way we are playing at the moment". A draw against half a Brazilian side and a 3-0 win against one of Europe's minnows and the guy thinks he's created a team of world beaters!
On the positive side, it sounds like Beckham was even better than against Brazil, and Owen and Crouch both got on the scoresheet.
On the negative, he started, yes s-t-a-r-t-e-d with Wes Friggin Brown and brought on Jenas the P*nis, admittedly late in the game. Both should never even be allowed near the hallowed shirt. Nicky Shorey was replaced by Wayne Bridge after a very strong debut (wrong choice IMHO) and on the bench was Scott Carson rather than Robert Green. Carson was shaky for Charlton in the last few months whereas Green was one of the inform keepers.
I maintain that McClaren is quite simply not up to the job. Get rid and replace him with Wenger or Coppell.
 
I'd go a step further and say get rid of him and replace him with a strategically shaved monkey


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