The Mid-week Review

by Danny Wright

Germany inflicted England’s first defeat at the new Wembley as they took the spoils 2-1 in an entertaining match, where some suspect goalkeeping was on show. England took the lead through Frank Lampard following some nice link up play with Micah Richards, however the Germans equalised through Kevin Kuranyi as Paul Robinson made a hash of a Bernd Schneider cross, the Tottenham keepers positioning looking suspect to say the least.

Christian Pander thumped home a 25-yard pile driver to put the visitors ahead, with England failing to convert a string of chances; Michael Owen, Kieron Dyer and Lampard the guilty parties. Jens Lehmann looked less than assured in the German goal, with Arsenal’s Manuel Almunia surely looking on with glee at his superior’s lacklustre display. Paul Robinson may also feel a tad uneasy after his showing, as David James made a faultless second half display.

Northern Ireland boosted their chances of Euro 2008 qualification as they overcame Liechtenstein 3-1 in Belfast, Nigel Worthington’s first game getting off to a dream start. David Healy grabbed two of the goals and Kyle Lafferty’s effort sealed the win, Liechtenstein’s Mario Frick scoring a late consolation. The win puts Ireland second in Group F.

Scotland beat South Africa 1-0 at Pittodrie thanks to Kris Boyd’s strike, with Sunderland keeper Craig Gordon keeping a clean sheet, meanwhile Wales defeated Bulgaria by the same score as debutant Freddy Eastwood marked his debut with a superb strike to give Wales the win. John Toshack’s men had young stopper Wayne Hennessey to thank for the win as he pitched in with an excellent display.

Robbie Keane and Shane Long bagged two goals apiece to give the Republic of Ireland a resounding 4-0 win over a beleaguered Denmark side, the game observing a minute’s silence in memory of Ireland manager Steve Staunton’s father Tom who died this week after suffering from a long term illness.

Armenia surprised Portugal with a 1-1 draw in Euro 2008 qualifying, as Belgium beat Serbia 3-2 in a thrilling match. Estonia beat Andorra, and there were wins for Cyprus and Finland in their respective qualifying quests.

In other news, Everton have bolstered their attacking options by agreeing a fee with Middlesborough for striker Aiyegbeni Yakubu, who has been given permission to begin talks with the Merseyside club. The Toffees have a chronic lack of strikers at present, Andy Johnson, James Vaughan and Victor Anichebe all out injured, and the £11.25m transfer of Yakubu will provide a much needed boost.

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