[Report originally from www.thefa.com] Joe Cole earned England three crucial World Cup qualifying points as he hit the winner against Wales in Cardiff. The Chelsea midfielder scored the fourth goal of his England career to seal a 1-0 victory and edge Sven-Goran Eriksson’s men closer to next year’s finals. The all-important breakthrough came after 53 minutes in a match in which England created a string of chances but were frustrated by dogged opponents. The Three Lions, as widely predicted, used a new 4-5-1 formation, with Wayne Rooney on his own up front but supported from wide by Shaun Wright-Phillips and Joe Cole. It meant a holding role in central midfield for David Beckham and, with John Terry and Gary Neville missing, there were places in defence for Luke Young at right-back and Jamie Carragher at centre-half. The new formation produced interesting results in the first half, with England dominating possession but missing a series of excellent chances to take the lead. Frank Lampard sent a dipping 30-yarder only inches wide after 17 minutes and Rooney really should have opened the scoring four minutes later. The Manchester United star performed a perfect one-two with Steven Gerrard but saw his left-foot finish well saved by goalkeeper Danny Coyne – who also held on to Shaun Wright-Phillips’ follow-up. A passionate Wales side defended deep and in numbers, allowing England possession in midfield but closing quickly as soon as the Three Lions moved in on goal. Even so Lampard will be disappointed he didn’t score when Wright-Phillips cut back a perfect ball for him. And maybe Joe Cole should have done better with a diving header from a Beckham cross just before half-time. It if sounds like one-way traffic, then it was. But Wales did come mighty close to catching England on the break when Giggs crossed from the left after 39 minutes and John Hartson’s header was superbly saved, low and one-handed to his left, by Paul Robinson. England’s saving grace came after 53 minutes when Beckham swept a glorious ball across the width of the pitch for Wright-Phillips on the right. His cut-back fell perfectly for Cole, whose effort flew into the net with a deflection off Danny Gabbidon. Rooney almost doubled the lead with a cheeky chip that was somehow clawed away - and the in the end England held on for victory despite a late Wales surge in a quieter second half. It wasn’t perhaps the most convincing of displays. But the plusses for Sven were three points in the bag, a solid debut from Young, some decent defending in a nervy finale - and a probing and intelligent performance from captain Becks. Next stop, Belfast. Final destination, Germany. edited by Guest (17/02/2006) |