Welbeck gives England a winning start against Swiss
11 Sept 2014 4:40 AM IST
Danny Welbeck scored twice as England launched their 2016 European Championship qualifying campaign with an encouraging 2-0 win away to chief Group E rivals Switzerland in Basel on Monday.
England had been criticised for a lacklustre display in their 1-0 friendly victory over Norway last week, but with a new midfield diamond introduced by manager Roy Hodgson, they put on an improved showing at St Jakob-Park.
Welbeck was deputising for the injured Daniel Sturridge and the new Arsenal striker rose to the occasion, touching home a cross from Raheem Sterling in the 58th minute and then sealing victory in stoppage time.
It was Switzerland’s first competitive home defeat since a 3-1 loss to England in October 2010 and meant that new coach Vladimir Petkovic began his tenure in losing fashion. However, with the top two teams in the group guaranteed to qualify for the tournament in France, it is likely to prove a flesh wound for a side ranked ninth in the world after their run to the last 16 at the World Cup.
After a barren first half, the second session got off to an open start which saw chances exchanged at both ends. Wilshere drilled wide for England and Behrami narrowly avoided turning Henderson’s cross into his own net, while Lichtsteiner shot over and Hart produced a fine one-handed save to thwart Seferovic.
But it was England who drew first blood with a neatly crafted goal reminiscent of Sturridge’s strike against Italy at the World Cup. After breaking from midfield, Rooney found Sterling on the left and the Liverpool winger’s low centre was turned in by Welbeck. Switzerland substitute Josip Drmic looked poised to bring Switzerland level after skipping around Hart with 20 minutes left, but Gary Cahill slid in to thwart him with a crucial goal-line block.
Jones was forced off with what seemed to be a hamstring injury, but after Hart caught a deflected Ricardo Rodriguez effort, substitute Rickie Lambert released Welbeck to beat Sommer for a second time with his left foot.
England had been criticised for a lacklustre display in their 1-0 friendly victory over Norway last week, but with a new midfield diamond introduced by manager Roy Hodgson, they put on an improved showing at St Jakob-Park.
Welbeck was deputising for the injured Daniel Sturridge and the new Arsenal striker rose to the occasion, touching home a cross from Raheem Sterling in the 58th minute and then sealing victory in stoppage time.
It was Switzerland’s first competitive home defeat since a 3-1 loss to England in October 2010 and meant that new coach Vladimir Petkovic began his tenure in losing fashion. However, with the top two teams in the group guaranteed to qualify for the tournament in France, it is likely to prove a flesh wound for a side ranked ninth in the world after their run to the last 16 at the World Cup.
After a barren first half, the second session got off to an open start which saw chances exchanged at both ends. Wilshere drilled wide for England and Behrami narrowly avoided turning Henderson’s cross into his own net, while Lichtsteiner shot over and Hart produced a fine one-handed save to thwart Seferovic.
But it was England who drew first blood with a neatly crafted goal reminiscent of Sturridge’s strike against Italy at the World Cup. After breaking from midfield, Rooney found Sterling on the left and the Liverpool winger’s low centre was turned in by Welbeck. Switzerland substitute Josip Drmic looked poised to bring Switzerland level after skipping around Hart with 20 minutes left, but Gary Cahill slid in to thwart him with a crucial goal-line block.
Jones was forced off with what seemed to be a hamstring injury, but after Hart caught a deflected Ricardo Rodriguez effort, substitute Rickie Lambert released Welbeck to beat Sommer for a second time with his left foot.
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