England held to draw in Israel

12 April 2012

Disgruntled England fans turned on coach Steve McClaren as their Euro 2008 qualification hopes took another downturn.

A 4,000-strong travelling army chanted 'What a load of rubbish' and 'You don't know what you're doing' as England drew their fourth blank in five games against a determined, but limited Israel outfit.

A draw in the Ramat Gan Stadium, where the hosts have lost once in seven years, is no disaster. But, given England's superiority, it was a definite chance missed. And coming on the back of recent poor results, it has raised major question marks over their participation in next year's finals.

With Phil Neville and Carragher deployed in the full-back roles, it was little wonder there was an element of uncertainty within England's rearguard. Neville's nerves were not helped when Rio Ferdinand sold him short with a square ball that allowed Toto Tamuz to shoot into the side-netting.

It was the start of an enterprising evening for the Nigerian-born teenager who, like his team, threatened outside the England box but rarely looked as though they would score once they got within sight of Paul Robinson's goal.

Tamuz was the man who got on the end of Amit Ben Shushan's cross after Carragher had been exposed down England's left. Inexplicably Tamuz was all alone in the box as he rose to meet the ball, only to glance his header narrowly wide.

Carragher could be pleased with his efforts, as could Owen Hargreaves, but there was only the occasional sense either Wayne Rooney or Andrew Johnson could inspire in attack. And with Israel keeper Dudu Aouate looking solid, England needed someone to produce a bit of magic.

The closest they came in the opening period was when Steven Gerrard spotted Frank Lampard's forward burst and slid a pass through to the Chelsea man. Unfortunately, the ball got stuck under Lampard's feet and he could only nudge it straight to the onrushing Aouate.

England dominated the second half and, after Lampard glanced a header fractionally wide, Johnson did the same when Gerrard picked him out from the other flank.

But, when Carragher met Lampard's corner with a firm header that bounced off the top of the bar, McClaren must have sensed it was not going to be his night.

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