England on Top of The World

England produced a confidence-boosting 1-0 win over FIFA World Cup™ winners Spain at Wembley this evening as stand-in captain Frank Lampard scored the only goal to provide Fabio Capello’s men with a hard-fought result.

While the test could hardly have been fiercer for the Italian manager’s men as they look to plan for Wayne Rooney’s absence from UEFA EURO 2012 following his three-match ban, a resolute performance from the home side, typified by man of the match Scott Parker, showed they have the grit to battle with the best. However, were it not for David Villa’s second-half volley striking the upright, and fluffing a number of other late chances, Spain would have got the draw they deserved.

In the end it was Lampard’s header shortly after half-time, having been first to react after Darren Bent struck the far post from James Milner’s free-kick, that settled a game which will leave English fans thoroughly buoyed, but conscious that they are not yet the complete outfit to tackle all next summer’s tournament in Poland and Ukraine will have to offer.

While the home faithful began the evening mulling over Capello’s sixth different centre-back pairing of the last 12 months, in Phil Jagielka and Joleon Lescott, the man of the hour was undoubtedly Iker Casillas, who equalled Spain’s all-time cap record today.

The Real Madrid goalkeeper moved level with legendary stopper Andoni Zubizarreta on 126 caps, having made his debut just two weeks after his nineteenth birthday against Sweden in 2000. The Scandinavians will visit Wembley on Tuesday, but the clash against the 2010 FIFA World Cup winners unsurprisingly dominated England’s build-up to the international break.

Jordi Alba made his way into the side for only his second appearance in a defence missing Barcelona captain Carles Puyol, because of mid-week Copa del Rey action, but David Silva made his third successive start after a storming opening to the season with Manchester City.

Lampard captained England in the absence of Chelsea team-mate John Terry, while Manchester United youngster Phil Jones continued to show his versatility on the international stage by forming a defensive midfield couplet with one of the Premier League’s top performers in Parker.

Spain’s neat passing began to gain traction after ten minutes, with Silva’s fine slipped through ball giving Villa their first sight of goal, but a solid block from Lescott saw England’s slack marking only punished with a corner-kick.

While suffering at times from Spain’s high pressing game upon winning the ball in the early running, on the occasions England were able to wriggle free of the handful of opposing players, a couple of neat passes saw the width provided by Milner and Theo Walcott find themselves in an unfamiliar amount of space. However, poor final balls were their undoing in making the most of these early opportunities. On most occasions, though, options were at a premium.

he fluidity of the world champions’ midfield was a source of consistent ire for the home side, backed by a near-full house in fine voice, with the interchanging Silva, Andres Iniesta and Xavi, and marauding Xabi Alonso and Sergio Busquets leaving their opponents consistently swivelling on their heels.

Lampard played in a composed manner in his role at the head of a central midfield three, tackling whole-heartedly and reading the game well however, he reflected England’s frustrations and lack of headway going forward with a tame 30-yard drive, providing Casillas his first test.Spain immediately countered with a half chance of their own, Silva breaking into the area only for his shot to deflect kindly into the arms of Joe Hart off Lescott.

A similar story unfolded minutes later, Silva turning provider, as Iniesta’s strike was again turned away by the Manchester City defender. From the resulting corner Busquets ghosted into the area as England pushed forward, but the midfielder could only turn his volleyed effort over from eight yards out.

The home side occasionally found joy when running at Alba, with the pace of Walcott and Glen Johnson proving a menace, but the first half ultimately petered out with neither side having wholly found their rhythm. The EURO 2008 winners looked to inject a fresh set of legs into their midfield as they brought in Cesc Fabregas and Juan Mata for Xavi and Silva at the break, while Stewart Downing entered in place of Walcott.

As the second half began, Villa looked to force the visitors into an immediate lead, but his 20-yard strike flew over inside a minute of the restart. However, it was the home side who made the breakthrough moments later. Milner’s whipped free-kick from the left wing being met by Bent, and with substitute goalkeeper Pepe Reina left stranded by the ball ricocheting off the post, Lampard tapped in.

Spain began to turn the screw from then on, coming close when Villa broke free of the Englandback-line and rounded Hart, only for his off-balance shot to strike the side netting. Immediately the home side switched to a more defensive outfit, as Lampard made way for Gareth Barry, and youthful exuberance of Jones was replaced by another much-heralded youngster in Jack Rodwell, making his debut.

Having made the first goal, Bent was next to make for the bench, being replaced by Danny Welbeck, while Spain looked to boost their forward line with the introduction of Fernando Torres – keen to prove to an English audience he hasn’t lost his prowess in front of goal – in place of Busquets. It was the home side's substitutes who were first to make an impression, as Welbeck and Rodwell played three quick passes to see them baring down on Reina’s goal, but Sergio Ramos was able to get across, using his experience to draw a foul and slam the door on the precocious pair.

Villa then showed his class as he was agonisingly close to drawing the Spaniards level, teeing himself up to strike a divine left-footed volley against the far upright with Hart left scrambling across his goal. The Barcelona forward looked to be finding his rhythm operating just off Torres, as a succession of flicks from Spain’s all-time top scorer tried to unlock the English defence, but to no avail.

The visitors continued to pick at an increasingly fraught-looking back-line, with Fabregas’ neat pull-back being narrowly nicked away from the toe of Gerard Pique, before the Barcelona midfielder shot narrowly wide from the edge of the penalty area. The former Arsenal captain then produced two chances to grab a result in the closing minutes, first with his 18-yard shot producing the best moment of the game from Hart, reacting to a late deflection, before side-footing wide with the goal at his mercy from the penalty spot. As a result the home side remained steadfast and held out for victory.

Fabio Capello Questions Friendlies

England manager Fabio Capello has questioned holding friendlies in August ahead of his side's game with Holland at Wembley on August 10.

England face the 2010 World Cup runners-up three days before the start of the Premier League season and Capello admits it is not an ideal time.

"The timing is difficult. You need to ask Fifa, they decided this," he said.

"I can't watch any of the players I need to choose. I don't know what level any of the players will be."

England play key Euro 2012 qualifying games against Bulgaria and Wales in September, and while in the past England friendlies have been used to experiment with new players, Capello insists he is taking the Holland game seriously.

"Now I need to prepare for the qualifying games," he added. "I make experiments if it's possible when the games are not so important, but this game is very important because we then have a really short time to prepare for the next qualification games."

Manchester United chief executive David Gill has also joined the growing call from Europe's leading clubs for changes to Fifa's fixture calendar.

United returned from their five-match tour of North America knowing that immediately after Sunday's Community Shield encounter with Manchester City at Wembley, they will lose players to international friendly matches.

"There are some issues," said Gill. "The way the calendar is constructed, the number of dates Fifa put in, insurance.

"There are no easy solutions. These things have been around for many years but if we can get together, it will be for the betterment of the game."

Capello's contract with the Football Association runs out after the Euro 2012 Championships and the 65-year-old is intending to go out on a high after England's disappointing performance at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

"I think my last year will be very good, I hope so. I try to make everything better," Capello said.

"I study, I prepare, I focus. I hope that at the end of my career we will win a trophy.

"I hope so because when you are a winner, you want to win something, not to lose."

Capello faces a few injury concerns ahead of the Holland game. He is already without Steven Gerrard, while Arsenal's Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott are also doubts for the game.

Baldini Leaves England Position

Baldini with Capello

The Football Association can confirm that England Senior Team General Manager Franco Baldini will join Italian Serie A Club AS Roma immediately after the qualification programme for Euro 2012 is concluded in the Autumn.

It is important to make clear that Franco will continue in his current role on a full-time basis until either October or November 2011, depending on England's progress in their qualifying group. He will not commence his work with Roma until after this time. 

Franco has taken this decision with the full agreement of England Manager Fabio Capello. At this time, it is still to be decided if Franco will return to work with Fabio and the England team for their February friendly and the European Championships (subject to qualification).

Capello said: “Franco has been given a good opportunity by Roma, but I am happy he will stay with me and the England team until after the qualification programme. For me this is very important. We can decide after this if Franco will be with us for the European Championships.” 

FA Chairman David Bernstein added: “We respect his decision to accept the offer from Roma. I would like to thank Franco for the professional way in which he has handled this and maintained his sole commitment to working with Fabio and the team until after the qualifying games.”

Psycho Agrees Two More Years

England Under-21 head coach Stuart Pearce has signed a new two-year deal.

Pearce's new contract comes despite England's failure this summer to advance past the group stage of the European Under-21 Championships.

But FA chairman David Bernstein pointed to an "excellent" qualifying campaign as well as Pearce's ability to prepare young players for the rigours of senior international football.

Pearce led England to the final of the 2009 European Under-21 Championships.

The former England, Nottingham Forest and Coventry left-back also works as a member of Fabio Capello's staff coaching the senior squad.

Pearce said: "I am delighted to have signed my new contract and to be able to continue in a role I very much enjoy.

"In my time with the England Under-21s we have experienced an excellent record and my aim now is to qualify for Israel in 2013 and hopefully go on to secure silverware with another exciting group of young players.

"It remains a privilege for me to represent my country and contribute to the FA's work at international level."

FA chairman David Bernstein added: "Continuity is vital as we continue to build our club ethos, and Stuart is an important member of the England coaching structure.

"I know he was as disappointed as anyone at the Under-21s' most recent tournament results at the European Championships in Denmark, but we mustn't forget the team had an excellent qualifying campaign and continues to produce young players ready and prepared for senior team experience."

The Under-21s will begin their qualifying campaign at home to Azerbaijan in September before trips to Iceland and Norway the following month.

England Retirements Baffle Brooking

Brooking looks on...

Sir Trevor Brooking has reacted with incredulity to the growing number of players who have decided not to make themselves available for England.

The Tottenham Hotspur striker Peter Crouch is believed to have decided he will not play for his country again until Fabio Capello is replaced as national manager, after growing disillusioned with life under the Italian. The Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Paul Robinson and the Manchester United defender Wes Brown retired at the start of this season and the Birmingham City goalkeeper Ben Foster is on a "sabbatical", to concentrate on his club career.

There have been even younger players who have turned their back on England, most notably the Tottenham winger David Bentley, who rejected the chance to play in the 2007 European Under-21 Championship.

Brooking, who is the Football Association's director of football development, told BBC Radio 5 Live: "No matter what people think about individuals, it is about playing for your country. You turn up regardless. I would have turned up if I was number 23 in the squad. We had one or two issues with age group teams. There appears to be a reluctance with one or two youngsters to get that tournament experience.

"I come from a generation where I couldn't even contemplate such a thing. I find it amazing. There are great rewards out there. You can become a multi-millionaire as a club player without playing international football. But international football is about individual pride and wanting to perform at the highest level. If I got picked at 41, I would have played, even if I thought I would make a fool of myself. I just wanted to play for my country."

Brooking is reluctant to write Crouch off and wants to wait for the full facts to emerge. However, the 30-year-old has not been one of Capello's preferred strikers. Crouch has started five games in Capello's 37-match reign and he did not make the bench for yesterday's 2-2 draw with Switzerland at Wembley, even though England had only three fit strikers.

Crouch has also been one of the team's most reliable goalscorers, scoring eight times under Capello, as part of an overall tally of 22 which puts him joint-16th on the all-time list. He went to last summer's World Cup in South Africa, where he made two brief substitute appearances.

With Liverpool's Andy Carroll and Manchester United's Wayne Rooney likely to be available for the August friendly against Holland, it seems Crouch was likely to be pushed further down the pecking order. 

However, if his international "break" is confirmed, it will raise further questions about Capello's handling of players, as well as reducing options in an area in which England are not particularly blessed anyway, given that Kevin Davies and Jay Bothroyd were both capped earlier this season.

Southgate Unveils FA Youth Plans

Gareth Southgate

The Football Association has unveiled plans that could revolutionise youth football in England.

Under the proposals, children will not be allowed to play 11-a-side games until under-13 level.

"In 11-a-side matches there are fewer touches for players," said FA head of elite development Gareth Southgate.

"If we go to that format too young then it becomes much more of an athletic-based game. We have huge pitches that kids can't get around."

This and other proposals, such as games being played on smaller pitches and with smaller goals, are the result of an 18-month investigation of grassroots football.

Any changes will need to win support from 75% of the FA's voting shareholders at a vote in September.

The FA has highlighted that three of the most successful countries in recent years - Spain, France and Italy - do not allow 11-a-side games until under-14 level, and Southgate said he felt there was an appetite for change in the English game.

"People have seen the way that the likes of Barcelona have played this year and they're asking: 'Why can't our kids play that way?'," said the former Middlesbrough manager.

"We want them to play that way. We feel that what we are proposing will give them the environment to develop those skills.

"We have down the years produced some technically gifted players but we want to increase that pool of talent so that if our best one or two players get injured, there is a bigger talent pool to come in."

Research shows that children who are slower to mature physically are being forced out of the game before they reach their potential.

Factors such as the pitches they play on being too big means smaller more gifted players tend to lose out in favour of more athletic players.

Southgate stated: "It benefits the physically stronger players but there's a real danger that we lose the smaller, more technically gifted ones.

"There is a high drop-out of players in that nature."

FA nominate David Bernstein

The FA Board has nominated David Bernstein to be the new Chairman of The Football Association.

Mr Bernstein was recommended by the Nominations Committee – chaired by Phil Gartside and consisting of Michael Game, Tony Kleanthous and John Ward. This nomination was approved unanimously by The Board today and The FA Council will be asked to endorse this appointment at its meeting on 25 January 2011.

David Bernstein, aged 67, was on the board of Manchester City FC for nine years, five of them as Chairman. During this time the club returned to the Premier League and David led the negotiations which delivered a new stadium for the club. He is a chartered accountant with a long career in business, sitting on the Boards of several public companies including the French Connection Group Plc, Ted Baker Plc and Blacks Leisure Plc, where he has been Chairman since 1996. Since 2003 he has been a Director of Wembley Stadium and has been Chairman since 2008. He is also President of the National Association of Disabled Supporters.

Acting Chairman Roger Burden said: “The Board was united in its view that David would make an excellent choice as Chairman of the organisation. I have worked with David for some years and have always been impressed by his professionalism and integrity.”

“We look forward to working with David to take The FA forward in the best interests of football at all levels across the country.”

Nominations Committee Chairman Phil Gartside said: “David was the outstanding candidate for the role. He combines strong business and leadership skills with tremendous insight and knowledge of football.”

FA General Secretary Alex Horne added: “I very much look forward to working with David and together focussing on the priorities for the development of English football. We have a busy year ahead with work starting on St George’s Park, the launch of the Women’s Super League, England men’s and women’s teams competing in major competitions at a variety of age groups and a drive to implement the recommendations of our review into international player development.”

Mr Bernstein said: “I am honoured to be asked to take on the role as Chairman of The FA. It is a tremendous challenge but I look forward to working with the Board, the staff at The FA and everyone in football from local playing fields to Wembley and the international stage. ”