Jon Brodkin at Craven Cottage
The Guardian
The Joe Cole show was upstaged last night as England made the West Ham starlet wait until half-time to come on. But his absence did not prevent two other midfielders nudging Kevin Keegan in the ribs in the lead-up to the European Championship.
Lee Hendrie scored from Frank Lampard's pass to give England a narrow win and in the short time allotted to him Cole showed moments of brilliance. His shimmy and run enabled Carl Cort to fire in a late shot which was well saved.
Even without the youngster there was a strong feel to England's line-up. But there was bad news for Everton inside 10 minutes when Francis Jeffers was carried off after a heavy challenge. Lampard looked assured in the centre of midfield, passing well and breaking forward when possible. To his left, Lee Hendrie, showed neat touches, epitomised by a dart across the area which was spoiled by a skewed shot.
Twice in the second half he cleared off the line. Before making way for Cole at half-time Lee Bowyer had tackled with characteristic vigour, forcing a save too out of Wilfredo Caballero with a header from a cross by Lee Naylor of Wolves. Cole's introduction inevitably enlivened proceedings. Almost immediately he was accelerating away from opponents and playing short, sharp passes. But with Argentina looking increasingly dangerous he saw less of the ball than he would have liked. Only a good save by Nick Weaver prevented Julio Arca giving the visitors the lead shortly after the hour.
That proved a vital stop. Just as Argentina seemed to be gaining the upper hand a fine pass by Lampard released Hendrie and he scooped the ball over Caballero from close range.
England (3-5-2): Weaver (Manchester City); Mills (Leeds; Young , Tottenham, h-t), Carragher (Liverpool), Woodgate (Leeds); Chadwick (Manchester United), Bowyer (Leeds; Cole, West Ham, h-t), Lampard (West Ham), Hendrie (Aston Villa), Naylor (Wolves; Johnson, Derby, 70); Jeffers (Everton; Smith , Leeds, 10min; Harley, Chelsea, 81), Cort (Wimbledon).
Argentina (3-4-1-2): Caballero; Guidi (Herrera, 73 ), Grabinski, Burdisso; Pauttasso, Rivero, Veron, Arca; D'Alessandro; Ovolo (Santana, 81 ), Dominguez (Rodriguez , h-t). Referee: H Fandel (Germany).
