England's 100% record in the Euro qualifiers so far, came to an end in Poland, where Ukraine played their home leg against us. It was a deserved point for Ukraine, but you can't help wondering why England have recently forgotten how to attack. Hardly any balls into the box, hardly any runs down the wings to the bye-line and few shots on target as a result. In fact the obsession with the pass backwards has become a big worry as we move forward to play against better teams.
 
Maybe, that is all a bit over-critical of a side top of the table after five games, but it has to be said, possession doesn't win games and it is goals that count.

When the game started England had all the possession they wanted as the Ukraine side sat back waiting for the chance to break. Only trouble was they never had much of a kick as England stroked the ball from side to side, and back again, and then back to the other side again. Ten minutes of this had elapsed before the home goalkeeper, Heorhiy Buschan, had to do anything. On 12 minutes Jordan Pickford had his first touch, would you believe it, a backpass!

Finally, a minute later and a chance for Bukayo Saka as his shot at goal is blocked by Taras Stepenenko. On the right side of England's attack, Kyle Walker was trying his utmost to help with overlaps, but Ben Chilwell had one thought every time he received possession, "I must turn round and go backwards" and that is what happened with almost every pass he made. On 19 minutes an England cross did come in, and it skidded off a defender's head into his goalkeeper's arms. A short spell of sloppy defending by England followed and the inevitable happened when Ukraine made a quick break down the right in the 26 th minute. Yukhym Konoplya pulled the ball back from the bye-line and in came Oleksandr Zinchenko to shoot past Pickford with the England defence all at sea.

How ironic, that after all England's possession the score was Ukraine 1 England 0. It hopefully teaches them a lesson in decisive passing instead of all this negative side to side movement.

To be fair, England were stung into a bit more action after the goal and two minutes later James Maddison had a chance, but he couldn't adjust his feet and the danger was cleared. Shortly after that Jordan Henderson saw a shot loop over the bar, but at least we could now see a bit more purpose in our attacks. However, a throw-in was gained deep in Ukraine territory and from Walker's throw, the ball went to Marc Guehi, and then straight back to Pickford!! Another attacking position lost.

England continued to be more on the front foot though and a lovely pass by Jude Bellingham almost set Maddison up with a chance, but again, poor control by the Spurs player again ended the move. Ukraine meanwhile were finding plenty of space down the right side of England's defence, but without too much concern to Pickford's goal.

With 41 minutes on the clock, England conjured a fine equaliser with their most positive bit of play so far. Harry Kane is not just a goalscorer, as we have seen many times before. He picked the ball up just inside the Ukraine half, had a look, before spotting a great run by Walker round behind the full-back, the pass was superb, the touch by Walker was outstanding and the finish sublime as he calmly slotted past the keeper. It was Walker's first goal for his country in this his 77th cap, and boy, was he overjoyed! Just on half-time a deep cross from Saka was headed back by Kane, who was stretching, and the ball trickled wide.

As the second-half began, the support for Ukraine from the stadium reached a crescendo of noise, and their team were rising to the occasion with some steadfast defending. It proved a good test for England's resilience, which has never really been in doubt. Indeed there did seem to be a new determination from England after the restart. Bellingham put in a weak header, easily saved, and then after Kane was fouled, from the free-kick, Harry Maguire headed a good chance wide. Maguire was having a very good game and his partnership with Geuhi was developing well.

As the play hotted up, there were signs that England were finding more space as the home side tired. Good play by Henderson and Saka saw England win a corner, which ended up back to Pickford! Enough said. Maddison's touch let him down again when in a good position but then a break by Heorhiy Sudokov ended with a shot wide from the hosts. On 59 minutes we saw one of the top moments of the match and it came from Saka. He gained possession, cut inside, and unleashed one of his trademark left- foot curlers which was destined for the top corner. Unfortunately, a magnificent fingertip save by Buschan touched it onto the crossbar and the rebound was cleared.

Saka was again in the mix when his shot was blocked by a defender sprawling in front of him. All the England players appealed for handball, and the replays suggested they had a very good shout, but VAR was not used, surprisingly. A succession of substitutes on both sides made things a little scrappy for the next ten minutes and in the 81 st minute some fine defending by Walker, having one of his best games for his country, stopped a rare Ukraine attack. At this point it seemed both sides were settling for a draw and little happened in those closing minutes. Maguire was unluckily booked for a 50/50 challenge he had to make on the loose ball, as the goalkeeper dived at his feet.

In the end the game finished with honours even. England did not show enough flair or invention in their attacking play, and Ukraine were quite content to defend in numbers and try to catch England out on the break. So, a point apiece and we now move on to October for our next Euro qualifier. Meanwhile, we have a certain 'Friendly' to play in Scotland. A Friendly against Scotland? No such thing!
 

Source Notes