The Mirror
KEVIN KEEGAN failed to get any World Cup revenge as England were held by arch enemy Argentina at Wembley. Lacklustre England never looked like breaking down their bitter rivals on a night of great sadness beneath the Twin Towers following the death of England's first football knight Sir Stanley Matthews.
England fans were desperate for revenge after the painful World Cup defeat in St Etienne in France 98 - but they will have to wait a while longer yet. They had to sit and suffer as Keegan's experimental side never clicked - and never looked like winning. Keegan's big gamble on Dennis Wise and Jason Wilcox did not really pay off. But Leicester's pounds 10million-rated striker Emile Heskey impressed with a powerful display of running, and his strength caused the Argentines problems.
Heskey was eventually replaced by Andy Cole 11 minutes from time and the Manchester United almost scored with his first meaningful touch, striding on to fellow substitute Ray Parlour's through-ball to fire straight at Argentine keeper Pablo Cavallero.
But it was troubled United team-mate David Beckham who was the real star of the Wembley show as he answered his critics with a super display. Beckham, sent home from training and made an Old Trafford outcast, put his week of woe behind him. Although he was booked early on, Becks looked every inch the pounds 25million superstar as he showed the sort of skills to make even the classy Argentines jealous.
The United winger, playing as a central midfielder, got the Wembley crowd on their feet with some superb crosses and a first-half free-kick which whistled just past the post. But not even Beckham could inspire England to victory as Argentina refused to buckle in what has become a bitter almost local derby-like affair.
The Wembley crowd revived all the old ill-feelings as both national anthems were jeered and the Englandfans had little to cheer as Keegan's men failed to show much invention and carve open few openings on a disappointing night which made for a low-key atmosphere.
And one of the biggest cheers of the night was in the 57th minute when Argentina strike star Gabriel Batistuta - the scourge of English football in recent seasons - was substituted, much to the relief of every England fan.
Leicester manager Martin O'Neill, whose side have a Worthington Cup Final with Tranmere on Sunday, watched his star striker Heskey get stronger as the game went on. And Heskey's encouraging display proved Keegan was right to give him a chance ahead of Cole and Sunderland goal machine Kevin Phillips.
But O'Neill must have had his heart in his mouth as Heskey took a succession of heavy tackles and was limping heavily before he was finally substituted in the 79th minute. Replacement Cole made an immediate impact as within 30 seconds of his introduction he forced a smart save from Cavallero. England skipper Alan Shearer, who endured a quiet night, was also replaced late on by Phillips, while Beckham appeared to be limping slightly when he was replaced in the 73rd minute by Arsenal midfielder Parlour.
This display will give Keegan and England's army of fans little hope before this summer's Euro 2000 finals.
