Match Summary

Manager Roy Hodgson sprang a real surprise with his team selection for this vital match against Montenegro, by picking the in-form Andros Townsend on the right-wing.  Eyebrows were raised by many, but boy, did his idea pay dividends.

Right from the start England looked really sharp and ready for the battle.  There was lots of passing and movement in the early stages and the front men looked very lively.  In the second minute Danny Welbeck shot over from England's first opening, and both Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge continually probed the visiting defence.  Townsend, meanwhile, looked especially lively and was really enjoying his elevation to the England team.  He was so positive going forward and his pace, and link up with Kyle Walker, was a feature of the match.  In fact the pace of the whole of England's attack promised much and Montenegro were doing well to hang on.  The only thing that was missing was the final finish.

Another lightening break down the right between Walker and Townsend ended with Steven Gerrard's tame cross, and then Rooney saw a chance only for his shot to be deflected wide.  The pressure continued down the right, but England's left wing was prominent too with Leighton Baines making some superb runs. Montenegro were relying on the odd breakaway, but their main gameplan was to keep ten men behind the ball and invitee England and to break them down.

In the 14th minute a bad pass by Frank Lampard let in the visiting number eight Stevan Jovetic, but his shot went harmlessly wide..  Then, at the other end, Baines saw his inswinging free-kick punched away. England had to be patient, and also guard against the breakaways, Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka were looking solid at the back though, and snuffed out any signs of danger quickly by intercepting efficiently where necessary.  Joe Hart had little to do but play the extra sweeper role if he had to..

On 16 minutes a great England move involving Townsend, Sturridge and Lampard ended with Gerrard shooting a good chance over the bar.  Then six minutes later brilliant play by Baines set up Welbeck and this time the Manchester United striker made the goalkeeper work, but Vukasin Poleksic was equal to the task with a solid block..  The referee was allowing a good deal of bumping and boring in the area and twice England half-heartedly appealed for penalties as both Welbeck and Sturridge were stopped..  But the ref would have none of it, although to be fair, replays showed they might have both had a case..

As the game wore on England increased the pressure whilst Montenegro defended stubbornly.  Welbeck might have done better with a headed chance which actually went wide off his shoulder, and then the best move so far saw Gerrard's shot tipped around a post by Poleksic.  On 39 minutes England created their best chance of the first half after a flowing move.  Lampard found Rooney whose first time ball sent Townsend away yet again..  He cut inside and fired in a shot, only for the keeper to parry the ball back towards the incoming Rooney..  Unfortunately Rooney's shot hit the outside of the post with both Sturridge and Welbeck waiting for a pull-back..  England finished the half on a high as Walker, Sturridge and Townsend combined again for Welbeck to shoot, the ball being deflected wide. Then Sturridge had a chance from Rooney's cross, but he tried to be too clever with a back-heeled finish when perhaps a straight forward right foot should have made contact..

Half-time and England totally dominant but lacking that final finish.  Surely though it would only be a matter of time before the breakthrough came. The one criticism of the first half was England's lack of penetration from set plays, something they may need to work on.

Within three minutes of the restart though,, England were ahead..  Another brilliant positive run down the right by Townsend left defenders trailing in his wake.  As his cross came in it was deflected towards the advancing Welbeck, who fired in a shot from 18 yards.  Poleksic blocked the ball but the rebound was superbly controlled by Rooney, who then swivelled and shot under the diving keeper's body.  That goal opened the game up a little and Savo Pavcevic was booked for a foul on Welbeck as frustration set in for the visitors.  Montenegro were really struggling to cope with the pace off England's attacks and Vladimir Volkov became the second player booked.  The hat-trick of bookings came when Walker was also yellow carded for a silly challenge that will now keep him out of the next match, much to the manager's obvious annoyance..

On 55 minutes Hart had to make his first save, a good one from a glancing header from Dejan Damjonovic, but generally it was all England.  Townsend saw a shot saved, and then England went 2-0 up thanks to a bizarre own goal..  Sturridge's superb backheel sent Welbeck galloping away, and as the number nine tried to tee Sturridge up Branko Boscovic got there first, but he only succeeded in slicing the ball wide of the keeper into his own net.  England don't normally get too many gifts given to them, but this time the whole stadium was ready to accept this one!!  Just a minute later though, Montenegro almost pulled a goal back, when Jovetic fired in a tremendous shot which had Hart groping, luckily for England it cannoned back off the crossbar..

On 63 minutes Lampard had a shot that flew over, and he was immediately subbed, with Michael Carrick coming on to replace him.  England still pressed forward and Rooney set up his skipper for another attempt that went wide, before Welbeck so nearly scored from a Baines corner. Rooney was only a whisker away from another Baines cross and Welbeck was just as close to a Townsend cross..

Then, against the run of play  Montenegro snatched a surprise goal..  With 20 minutes to go Fatos Beciraj was allowed to fire in a shot, which was going wide until Damjonovic stuck out a foot to deflect it wide of the helpless Hart..  Thee England fans were understandably nervous at this stage as they knew how often  England have a habit of making life difficult for themselves.  But the team stayed calm and they continued to press forward.  On 78 minutes came the game's best moment.  Townsend, who had been a revelation all evening, was given possession after Welbeck's determination..  The Spurs player had just the one thought in his mind, and he drove purposely at the defence before unleashing a terrific bending left-foot shot that flew in off the post..  What a way to celebrate your debut!!  It was almost his last contribution as Hodgson took him off and the player left to a deserved standing ovation..

Jack Wilshere and James Milner came on for Townsend and Gerrard respectively and those two players combined to set up a fourth goal in the third minute of added time.  Sturridge received the final pass from Milner and as he had done all night, he attacked the defenders.  This time he was brought down by Ivan Kecojevic, and it was Sturridge who calmly slotted home the resultant penalty.  It was a deserved goal for thee Liverpool player and made the scoreline a little more realistic on the balance of play.

England did everything right on the night and everyone played their part, what more can you ask for??  A win over Poland perhaps??
   

Source Notes