ENGLAND MATCH REPORTS

Owen 44
Lampard 80

     Frankowski 45
1. Robinson
2. Young
3. Carragher
4. King
5. Ferdinand
6. Terry
7. Wright-Phillips (Crouch 67)
8. Lampard
9. Rooney
10. Owen (Jenas 84)
11. J Cole (Smith 87)
Substitutes
12. P Neville
13. Kirkland
14. Jenas
15. Smith
16. Crouch
17. Bent
18. Defoe

MATCH DETAILS

Match: WC Qualifier
Venue: Old Trafford
Date: 12th Oct 2005
Rankings: E11 P17
Att: 65,467
Ref: Kim Milton Nielsen (Denmark)
Weather: Wet
Rating: 

MATCH STATS

10 Shots on target 3
6 Shots off target 3
8 Corners 0
10 Fouls conceded 19
5 Offsides 0
0 Yellow cards 2
0 Red cards 0
60% Possession 40%
1. Boruc
2. Jop
4. Baszcyznski 62
5. Kosowski
6. Bak
7. Sobolewskii 73 (Radomski 79)
8. Smolarek (Krzynowek 46)
9. Zurawski (Frankowski 39)
10. Lewandowski
11. Rasiak
14. Zewlakow
Substitutes
3. Rzasa
12. Kovalewski
13. Mila
15. Klos
16. Radomski
17. Frankowski
18. Krzynowek
 
MINI REPORT
England kept the best for last with a very convincing win against Poland at Old Trafford to top the group. Eriksson’s team attacked from the start and with the pressure off they produced a wonderful first half of football and should have lead at half time. Michael Owen cleverly flicked a Joe Cole shot into the net after 44 minutes but Poland struck back just before the break with what was their only real chance of the game. England started the second half at a lesser pace but got going again in the last 25 minutes and the night was rounded off with a wonderful goal from Frank Lampard. England will need more of the same if they are to progress in the World Cup next summer.

PRESS MATCH REPORTS


AFTER MATCH COMMENTS

Sven-Goran Eriksson insisted England were world-beaters after an "absolutely excellent" performance had seen his side top Group Six with a 2-1 victory against Poland at Old Trafford.

"I am very pleased for the players and the fans," said Eriksson. "We did a good job on Saturday and went on to do another good job today. We have won the group and that is excellent. "It was a much better performance but Poland came here to try to win the game while Austria came for a draw defending with nine men.

"Poland had one chance to score and they scored while we had many chances. I think the fans can be convinced that we can win the World Cup. I always said we would qualify. We are one of four, five or six teams who could win it with a bit of luck. I'm convinced we have a very good team."

Eriksson singled out Wayne Rooney for special praise after another inspired display by the Manchester United striker, playing in the middle just behind Owen.

"Wayne Rooney is young, nearly 20 with 27 caps, that's incredible. He's not just a talent, he's a world-class footballer, that's it."