Switzerland vs. England: Analysis and Reaction

A week is a long time in football, and a lot has changed to England’s benefit in the last seven days. A band aid was placed firmly over the reputation of Fabio Capello with the fans, and players such as Joe Hart and Adam Johnson laid their claim to be England starters for years to come.

England travelled to hostile territory for a game against a difficult to beat Swiss team that beat Spain at the World Cup over the summer.  With injuries in central defense this was no easy trip for England, and a 3-1 win is an impressive performance no matter how you look at it.

The game in Basel started in scrappy fashion, before Wayne Rooney settled England’s nerves by slamming home a Glen Johnson cross.  Theo Walcott, who has been in excellent form this season was injured as he attempted to get on the end of Johnson’s cross.  Rather than be an advantage to Switzerland, all this did was bring on the excellent Adam Johnson who performed well all night.

The goal will be a welcome relief for Wayne Rooney, who captured the news in recent days as the latest England player to have questionable decision-making in his private life.  The goal settled England and they enjoyed the lion’s share of possession afterward.

Five minutes after the dismissal of Lichsteiner, the excellent Adam Johnson doubled England’s lead.  Johnson collected an excellent Steven Gerrard pass, rounded the keeper and tucked the ball away confidently.

England did not have time to settle on their two goal lead, as substitute Xherdan Shaqiri unleashed a thunderbolt shot that had Joe Hart beaten all ends up.  England then faced a tense final 15 minutes with the crowd back in the game and Swiss hope renewed.  Switzerland showed flashed and pressed for an equalizer.  A rattled Ashley Cole was lucky to avoid a red card as he kicked the ball away needlessly while already on a booking.

When England finally killed off the game, it came from an unlikely source.  Darren Bent stroked home his first international goal to cue the English celebrations and ensure a perfect start to England’s Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.

The performance was positive without a doubt and Capello now has some decisions to make when stars such as John Terry, Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard return from injury.  Spark plug Adam Johnson also laid his claim to a starting spot with his second goal in as many qualifiers.

BBC football writer Phil McNulty described the performance as “England’s beat for a while,” while a pleased Fabio Capello heaped praise on troubled striker Wayne Rooney.  “Rooney scored a goal and it is important for him and us.  Tactically, he did some things really well.  He was always the center of play and movement.  The pressure was really on him but he played really well.”

England are now firmly in the driving seat for UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying group C.  The only other team to gain six points from two games is Montenegro, who beat Bulgaria 1-0 last night.  England face Montenegro on October 12, at Wembley Stadium, four days after Montenegro face Switzerland.