If keeping good possession, giving everyone some game time, and winning the match, was the order of the day for this friendly against Peru, then this was the perfect build up to the adventure that lies ahead during the summer.  The game wasn't a particularly good one, although there were some good moments, and at the end of the day it was a job well done.

Both teams set themselves up to be tight and determined and the first 15 minutes saw both England and Peru probing away, trying to find gaps in two well-organised defences.  England had the bulk of possession but most of the passes went from side to side or back and few went forward.  The first semblance of a chance came when Joe Hart came swiftly off his line to smother a through ball as Luis Ramirez threatened.  Then, just before the 20 minute mark, Jean Deza ran at the England defenders and tried a toe poke of a shot which took a wicked deflection off of Phil Jagielka's heel and almost looped over Hart in goal.  But the custodian, who looked really sharp all evening, made a great one-handed save to prevent a freak goal.  England responded by going straight down the other end and creating their first chance of the match.  Adam Lallana drove at the Peru defence, but as he was blocked the ball ran into the path of Daniel Sturridge, but the Liverpool man just pulled his shot the wrong side of the far post.

A booking for Rinaldo Cruzado, after a bad challenge on Steven Gerrard, was the only thing of note for a spell, as Peru were proving to be a well-organised and efficient team, and it would need something special from England to unlock the door.  Gerrard also received a yellow card, somewhat harshly, for a strong but fair tackle, but soon the fans rose as one to acclaim a fine goal.  After 33 minutes England produced that piece of magic that they and the crowd craved.  Glen Johnson's determination won a throw-in down the right hand corner.  He took the throw quickly and gave it to his Liverpool teammate Sturridge.  The in-form striker showed quick feet, cut inside, and curled the most delicious of left-foot shots into the far top corner with the keeper totally beaten.  It was a wonderful goal from Sturridge and showed just what he is capable of.

Two minutes later Lallana won a corner and Wayne Rooney headed Gerrard's cross just over at the near post.  The feeling was now that the ascendency was with England and Danny Welbeck also headed over the bar, from a Leighton Baines free-kick.  The Manchester United striker might have done a little better, as he was well placed, but he the header went up instead of down.  A lapse in concentration then almost cost England as Peru almost found an equaliser.  Ramirez beat the offside trap and had a one on one with Hart, but the goalkeeper spread himself brilliantly and diverted the ball for a corner to preserve the deserved half-time lead.  That was to be Peru's best chance of the match.

England began the second half in control and they held possession well without showing that cutting edge up front.  Peru were not out of it yet though and in the 54th minute Deza almost produced a brand of Peruvian magic.  He picked the ball up on the halfway line and ran at England.  He wasted no time and hit a fierce shot from long range which had Hart scrambling and only just cleared England's crossbar.  Deza had another chance on 63 minutes but this time Jagielka made a terrific block with a last ditch tackle.  Generally though, England were still in command and in the 65th minute they virtually made the game safe with a second goal.  Welbeck and Baines combined to win a corner, but before the kick was taken England brought on Jack Wilshere, and other substitutions were waiting to be made.  Whilst the officials were sorting them out the referee waved play on and Baines took the corner.  The cross was met by Gary Cahill and the ball nestled in the Peruvian net.

Raheem Sterling then replaced the subdued Rooney and Peru also made changes.  Sterling was soon looking lively and five minutes later England put the result beyond doubt.  Again the goal came from a Baines corner.  As the cross came in goalkeeper Raul Fernandez tried to catch the ball but dropped it under pressure from a number of bodies in the box.  Jagielka needed no second invitation and he quickly snapped up the gift to fire the ball home.

There were several more substitutions in the remaining 20 minutes, and Chris Smalling, Ross Barkley, James Milner and debutant John Stones were all sent on to gain valuable experience against South American opposition.  The only other chance in those remaining minutes fell to Sterling, who really should have scored when set up by Barkley, but could only push his shot wide of the far post.

So, a good night's work for England and the crowd gave them a great send-off as they head for the World Cup.  Some more warm-up games lie ahead before the real stuff starts, and acclimatisation could be the key as the big games approach. 

It's going to be fun, isn't it?
   

Source Notes