Wayne Rooney has been absolutely superb this season for Manchester United, he is the Premier League's top goalscorer with nine goals. However, he was sent-off while playing for England last night in a Euro 2012 qualifier. It is the second time Rooney has been sent-off while playing for his country. In the wake of that early bath and in time honoured tradition, predictably, the press have savaged the United striker.
As a result of last night's red card, Rooney will miss up to three games in next summer's finals in Poland and the Ukraine. It is a bitter blow to any hope England may have had of winning the competition - as unlikely as that hope surely is.
For their part, some United fans have been trying to rally round their talisman, but on this occasion, it is difficult to defend Rooney, because in lashing out, he was wild and uncontrolled. He had to go and there was no question about that.
You have to wonder what on earth makes Rooney tick, because you cannot imagine him lashing out in a similar manner while playing for United - at least we Reds would like to believe that is the case. Maybe Rooney simply doesn't respect England and Capello in particular? Some people are asking if the player should have been rested following the news that the Rooney family have become embroiled in an alleged betting scandal, one that involves his father and an uncle. Being wise after the event serves no purpose, the damage is done as far as Capello and England are concerned.
The final score in Podgorica finished up 2-2 thanks to a spirited fight-back by Montenegro. Ashley Young gave England the lead just eleven minutes into the game. England were by far the better team in the first-half and it came as no surprise when Fabio Capello's team doubled their advantage after Rooney and Young combined well in the build up to Darren Bent's goal on 31 minutes.
From that point on victory should have been assured, but Montenegro hit back just before half-time through Elsad Zverotić and they went on to deservedly equalise in the 91st minute thanks to substitute Andrija Delibašić.
In the end, and despite Rooney's sending off in the 74th minute, Montenegro were good value for the draw because they were by far the better team in the second period, even when both teams had eleven players on the pitch.
Despite a couple of worrying moments, Phil Jones had a solid game at right-back and Danny Welbeck came on as a late but confident looking substitute when replacing Theo Walcott on 76 minutes in a Capello tactical reshuffle following Rooney's red card. Ashley Young was also subbed with what looked like a swollen knee, Ferguson will be hoping all of his stars' return unscathed from international duty with United set to visit Anfield next weekend.
As a result of that 2-2 draw, England have qualified for the Euro 2012 Finals and Montenegro are through to the play-offs.
Tottenham's Scott Parker was England's man of the match.
Referee, Wolfgang Stark had a very good game in the middle.
This is just food for the scousers, I bet they have already composed a host of songs, if he falls for it the red mist will descend again.
ReplyDeleteAs we found out with Cantona it seems sometimes you can't have the genius without the rebel