I think the biggest shock at the start of the game was Fabio Capellos decision to start James Milner over Ashley Young who in his recent England game had impressed and the decision seemed to be a strange one to all football fans and also Peter Crouchs absence from even the bench despite having a tremendous scoring record internationally.
In the first half an hour of the game both teams had their chances but Joe Hart was the busiest keeper. On 30 minutes England were forced into making the first substitution of the game when Ashley Cole was replaced by Leighton Baines. The first Switzerland goal came from a Barnetta free kick which in retrospect look to be a cross rather than a shot which uncharactertisally Rio Ferdinand missed the header and resulted in Joe Hart been unable to save the cross/shot at the back post. A few Minutes later Switzerland scored their second goal of the game with another free kick from Barnetta this time the goal came from a James Milners error separating from the wall at the last minute leaving a wide gap for the ball to go through and beat Joe Hart at the front post. However 2 minutes after the last Switzerland goal Jack Wilshere was fouled inside the box from his Arsenal team mate Johan Djourou which led to a penalty which Frank Lampard drove to his bottom left which the Switzerland keeper was unfortunate not to save.
At half time Switzerland led 2-1 and England's first half performance was below par and they showed huge signs of fatigue. At the beginning of the second half Fabio Cappello made a bold decision to sub off the goalscorer Frank Lampard for Ashley Young. The substitution paid off 5 minutes into the second half when Leighton Baines cleverly chested the ball to Ashley Young for him to skillfully put past the keeper. After the equaliser Englands shape looked far more comfortable and tactically seemed to be improved and England created a few clear chances two of which thrown away from the natural goal scorer Darren Bent who missed two clear cut chances, Jack Wilsheres fantastic run and superb pass set up Darren Bent perfectly but he was denied by a brave plunge by the Swiss goalkeeper and then a few minutes later he missed arguably a clear goalscoring opportunity when he side footed a shot over the bar which if it was on target would have been a certain goal, as the second half progressed both teams had chances to score and win the goal but nobody was successful and it highlighted Fabio Capellos mistakes in his team selection when another substitute Stewart Downing who could well have started had a great chance in the last minutes of the game.
This draw leaves Englands position at the top of the group in danger and have certainly made life even more difficult to qualify for the Euro 2012 competition and adds more doubts in the capability's of the manager Fabio Capello
Joe Hart - 7In the first half an hour of the game both teams had their chances but Joe Hart was the busiest keeper. On 30 minutes England were forced into making the first substitution of the game when Ashley Cole was replaced by Leighton Baines. The first Switzerland goal came from a Barnetta free kick which in retrospect look to be a cross rather than a shot which uncharactertisally Rio Ferdinand missed the header and resulted in Joe Hart been unable to save the cross/shot at the back post. A few Minutes later Switzerland scored their second goal of the game with another free kick from Barnetta this time the goal came from a James Milners error separating from the wall at the last minute leaving a wide gap for the ball to go through and beat Joe Hart at the front post. However 2 minutes after the last Switzerland goal Jack Wilshere was fouled inside the box from his Arsenal team mate Johan Djourou which led to a penalty which Frank Lampard drove to his bottom left which the Switzerland keeper was unfortunate not to save.
At half time Switzerland led 2-1 and England's first half performance was below par and they showed huge signs of fatigue. At the beginning of the second half Fabio Cappello made a bold decision to sub off the goalscorer Frank Lampard for Ashley Young. The substitution paid off 5 minutes into the second half when Leighton Baines cleverly chested the ball to Ashley Young for him to skillfully put past the keeper. After the equaliser Englands shape looked far more comfortable and tactically seemed to be improved and England created a few clear chances two of which thrown away from the natural goal scorer Darren Bent who missed two clear cut chances, Jack Wilsheres fantastic run and superb pass set up Darren Bent perfectly but he was denied by a brave plunge by the Swiss goalkeeper and then a few minutes later he missed arguably a clear goalscoring opportunity when he side footed a shot over the bar which if it was on target would have been a certain goal, as the second half progressed both teams had chances to score and win the goal but nobody was successful and it highlighted Fabio Capellos mistakes in his team selection when another substitute Stewart Downing who could well have started had a great chance in the last minutes of the game.
This draw leaves Englands position at the top of the group in danger and have certainly made life even more difficult to qualify for the Euro 2012 competition and adds more doubts in the capability's of the manager Fabio Capello
Glen Johnson - 7
Ashley Cole - 7
Rio Ferdinand - 6
John Terry - 7
Scott Parker - 8
Theo Walcott - 6
Frank Lampard -7
Jack Wilshere - 8
James Milner - 6
Darren Bent - 6
Leighton Baines - 7
Ashley Young - 8
Stewart Downing - 7
