Bent, Lampard strike as Three Lions down Wales in Euro 2012 qualifier; Armenia hold Russia 0-0
Bent, Lampard strike as Three Lions down Wales in Euro 2012 qualifier; Armenia hold Russia 0-0 |
| England players celebrate Frank Lampard's goal against Wales during their UEFA Euro 2012 qualifier at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday. England won 2-0. Pics/Getty Images, afp |
England got their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign back on track here Saturday, cruising to a comfortable
2-0 victory over Wales at the Millennium Stadium. Frank Lampard and Darren Bent scored the goals to secure the win that saw England return to the top of Group G on goal difference and eased the pressure on their
under-fire manager Fabio Capello.
Welsh captain Aaron Ramsey admitted that his side's slow start had cost them dearly.
"We showed glimpses of what we can do today. However, there is no excuse for our slow start," said the 20-year-old Arsenal midfielder.
Any possibility of a Welsh upset was snuffed out within the first 15 minutes as England forged into a 2-0 lead against opponents, who were every bit as mediocre as their pre-match world ranking of 116 suggested.
England, fielding a new-look formation which featured West Ham's Scott Parker stationed in front of the back four, allowing Jack Wilshere and Frank Lampard to push forward, took the lead on seven minutes.
Neat interplay between captain Terry and Ashley Young ended with the Aston Villa winger being clumsily brought down by club-mate James Collins for a certain penalty. Lampard stepped up to bury his 22nd international goal. England's confident start was rewarded further on 15 minutes, with Young scorching past left back Chris Gunter before squaring for Bent, who swept in with aplomb to make it 2-0.
The remainder of the first half resembled a training session for England, with the visitors dominating possession and territory and moving the ball around freely with only token opposition from Wales, struggling to offer any sort of threat in the absence of injured winger Gareth Bale.
Young's pace and movement down the right flank was a constant menace for Wales' Nottingham Forest defender Gunter, who looked deeply uncomfortable throughout.
The only disappointment for England was in the fact that they were unable to extend their lead further.
Capello would also have been unhappy to see Wayne Rooney pick up an unnecessary booking on 37 minutes for a rash challenge on Joe Ledley as the Manchester United player's temper got the better of him. Wales meanwhile, finally got their first shot on goal just after the hour mark, Ramsey rifling high and wide from the edge of the area.
Russia fail to scoreElsewhere, Euro 2012 Group B qualifying leaders Russia had to settle for a draw against Armenia in Yerevan on Saturday despite dominating for most of the game.
That meant they held onto their lead with 10 points from five matches but left Ireland the chance to draw level with them should they defeat Macedonia later on Saturday.
