England squad update

Fabio Capello trimmed the squad. Stewart Downing, Michael Carrick, Curtis Davies, Nicky Shorey and Glenn Johnson were all dropped.

Here is the new line up:

Goalkeepers: David James (Portsmouth), Scott Carson (Liverpool on loan at Aston Villa), Chris Kirkland (Wigan)

Defenders: Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Joleon Lescott (Everton), Micah Richards (Manchester City), Matthew Upson (West Ham United), Jonathan Woodgate (Tottenham Hotspur)

Midfielders: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham Hotspur), Owen Hargreaves (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Ashley Young (Aston Villa), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), David Bentley (Blackburn Rovers)

Forwards: Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Michael Owen (Newcastle United), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Peter Crouch (Liverpool)

Saturday Wrap Up February 2, 2008

Gunners dent City’s home record. Emmanuel Adebayor found the twine twice as Arsenal put Manchester City’s UEFA Cup aspirations on the precipice. Joe Hart was under quite a bit of pressure by the visitors which was great for his experience, just not for his record. The Gunners went on top in the 9th when the Togo international popped in a Micah Richards deflection. Eduard De Silva gave Arsenal some breathing room in the 26th with an overhead shot that left Hart helpless. Gelson Fernandes gave City hope in the 28th minute when he slotted home a close range shot. The home side just couldn’t break through and Adebayor finished them off late with his 18th League goal this season.

Sven-Goran Eriksson didn’t bring in any scorers during the transfer window. I think he really needed to. They don’t have anyone that puts fear into opponents. They’re a grinding team that just can’t afford to get behind as they can’t catch up. Manchester City 1-3 Arsenal.

 Last touch equalizer at White Hart Lane. Dimitar Berbatov scored a nice goal off of a Edwin Van Der Sar deflection to open up the Tottenham account. Van Der Sar earned himself a yellow card for dissent after the goal. Jermaine Jenas handled the ball when he fell in the box. It was unintentional, but should have resulted in stoppage of play. The play stood, however, and the Spurs held a one goal lead for 70 minutes. They looked to have secured all three points until they gave up a corner deep into stoppage time. Depending on your view of the replay either Michael Dawson scored an own goal or Carlos Tevez slipped the ball into the net. It doesn’t really matter as in the end the Red Devils were able to sneak a point in a match that had them struggling to score.

New signings Jonathon Woodgate and Alan Hutton proved their worth as Manchester United repeatedly had trouble breaking down the Tottenham defense. Juande Ramos may have made the moves he needed to move up the table. United fans might be wondering if their only signing Manucho would be better served in Manchester than in Greece. I guess we’ll see. But, I don’t think that this is going to be the death knell for their championship by any means. Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Manchester United.

Defoe dividends at Fratton Park.Two days after joining Pompey, Jermaine Defoe donned the blue jersey and entered the embrace of the Portsmouth faithful. Chelsea could have scored five goals in this match but for some fabulous defending. Nicolas Anelka finally opened his league account for the Blues ten minutes into the second half with an undeserved goal. The ball had been controlled by Florent Malouda’s arm in the box. No penalty was given by Howard Webb (there’s a surprise) and Malouda took the ball up-field, passed the ball to Joe Cole who found Anelka in front of the net. I don’t know if Webb had a few quid riding on Chelsea, but he officiated like he was looking for the payout. Defoe’s goal was typical Jermaine. Fellow new signing Milan Baros headed the ball deftly into his path and Petr Cech had no chance. Portsmouth 1-1 Chelsea. 

Other action: Birmingham City 1-1 Derby County; Blackburn Rovers 0-0 Everton; Reading 0-2 Bolton Wanderers; Wigan Athletic 1-0 West Ham; Liverpool 3-0 Sunderland.

England squad announced

                                  

Fabio Capello finally announced his first squad since taking over as England manager. To some people’s surprise David Beckham was not on the list to face Switzerland. I listened to a lot of debate this week about whether or not he should get his 100th cap in this friendly and it seemed to me that it was split fairly evenly between yes and no. I wasn’t surprised at all that he was left off. This really is a meaningless friendly and if the 100th cap is going to be a milestone then let it be against quality opposition, France or Germany come to mind. Beckham still has a lot to offer the game, unfortunately his decision to go to the LA Galaxy and chase the cash could and should hurt his international chances. The MLS is not a quality league so I don’t see him factoring in for England long term.

                                         

Some of the picks surprised me though. Peter Crouch has scored some good goals for the Three Lions recently, but he hasn’t gotten much of a look this season at Liverpool and only has two goals in the league, hardly prolific. I also think that Michael Owen is a bit of an odd choice. Don’t get me wrong. I think the lad is a fantastic player, however he was out of action for a long spell due to injury. This friendly means nothing so let him get more game time in before putting him out for England. And Stuart Downing has had a far from stellar season at Middlesbrough so I’m left scratching my head over his inclusion.

I am happy to see that Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young got called up to the senior squad. These two are pacey and will give the Swiss defenders nightmares. Joleon Lescott has been coming on as well for Everton and will do well to get the Wembley experience. 

                                         

Here’s the squad:

Goalkeepers:D James (Portsmouth), S Carson (Aston Villa), C Kirkland (Wigan Athletic).

Defenders: W Bridge (Chelsea), W Brown (Manchester United), A Cole (Chelsea), C Davies (Aston Villa), R Ferdinand (Manchester United) G Johnson (Portsmouth), L King (Tottenham Hotspur), J Lescott (Everton), M Richards (Manchester City), N Shorey (Reading), M Upson (West Ham United), J Woodgate (Tottenham Hotspur).

Midfield players: G Barry (Aston Villa), D Bentley (Blackburn Rovers), M Carrick (Manchester United), J Cole (Chelsea), S Downing (Middlesbrough), S Gerrard (Liverpool), O Hargreaves (Manchester United), J Jenas (Tottenham Hotspur), S Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), A Young (Aston Villa).

Forwards: G Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), P Crouch (Liverpool), E Heskey (Wigan Athletic), M Owen (Newcastle United), W Rooney (Manchester United).