England slip up in France

England slipped up, quite literally, in their friendly with France on Wednesday night.

It was not just the poor football that would have caused England supporters to question if the players had the right boots on, but the frequency with which they slipped on the Stade de France turf.

England disappointed, after an industrious start in which France were forced to pass the ball back to goalkeeper Coupet three times in the first 10 minutes.

The French players seemed to have no trouble as several times they glided through the England backline before the crucial moment came, striker Nicolas Anelka being tumbled in the area by onrushing goalkeeper David James in a one-on-one. Franck Ribery took a break from his evening's moaning to dispatch a cool penalty.

But by the end stages of the game, it was clear that France were the better side despite only a one-goal lead, and, quite simply, they wanted it more. Florent Malouda and Claude Makelele were both left floored but left grinning after being fouled by a frustrated England side.

There were many frustrated challenges from English players towards the final whistle, yet few bookings. Strangely, German referee Florian Meyer chose not to book David James for the penalty nor a frustrated push by David Bentley on Malouda, yet gave a frankly glorified booking to David Beckham for a simple shirt-tug in the middle of the park.

David Beckham was making a welcome start that would bring him his 100th cap. Whether he continues depends heavily on his fitness and whether he can last the pace of games and one of his main weaknesses is his lack of pace. With so many players on the pitch on Wednesday who can run a lot faster than Beckham but were not, demonstrating their lack of movement, interest and effort, he will not have much trouble attaining more England caps.

England were now the only side passing backwards, Rio Ferdinand often left with little option but to pass sideways or backwards, or a hefty boot forward, in a bid not to lose possession.

Dave Ross made the interesting analogy that England played like a barn door, their passes going to players who are too static. France, however, played as a seemingly continuous and well-working revolving door, passes flowing from one moving player to another.

England's doors are yet to be removed from their rusty hinges.