Encouraging start

England got a point in their first game, very acceptable if you ask me, France are supposed to be the dark horses for the tournament, 21 games without defeat is a good feat, England though matched the Gauls all the way, both teams play different styles but both could of won it.

England looked relatively sharp on the night, in the past quick balls to feet seemed to ping off as though propelled by a magnetic pulse, this time though the front men managed to cushion the balls in and retain possesion.

Oxlade-Chamberlain got a start and did himself no harm, he never quite found the space he needed to expose his pace, but he worked hard and showed enough to deserve another chance.

Danny Welbeck is a player that seems to got into the squad on the blind side, he does not look lost at this level either, he may noy have the battering ram qualities of Andy Carroll, but he has a rangy style that allows him to get a toe in when you think the ball has got away.

France played a short passing game reminiscent of the Spanish, trying to keep possesion and move the ball sharply, England play a little different, our style is to try and hit into space and attack from wide, Gerrard is the main exponent of this art, on the night he did it well.

James Milner had a mixed game, I thought he was poor first half, spurning a great chance to score, Young played him in, he skipped round the goalie but shot horribly wide with his wrong foot, he should of scored but credit for his run.

Joleon Lescott was the unlikely goal hero, Gerrard whipped in a cross from a dead ball and Lescott lost Diarra to nod home, a very premiership style goal!

England were looking fairly assured, the defence was sound and our midfield was at its waspish best.

Of course though the French equalised, Nasri found a little space on the left of the box and shot home inside Hart's near post, the pundits were harsh on the 'keeper, he maybe would of saved it on another day, but Parker ran across his vision as the ball came in and he was perhaps a little unsighted.

The goal galvanised the French and they enjoyed their best period up to the half-time whistle, dominating possession and making England chase hard.

The second half was a much more cagey affair, both teams pushed, the French were happy to test Hart from distance, England seemed happy to leave their faith in their 'keeper to deal with that and rightly so.

The referee infuriated the fans on a number of occasions, Young and Oxlade-Chamberlain were both booked for late challenges, neither had malice but were mistimed, the French though got away with a series of calculated tugs, body-checks and trips, such is continental refereeing!!

Neither 'keeper was seriously tested second half, the French got in behind once but Glen Johnson made a great challenge coming across from his full back position, while Mexes kept out a Milner croos before Welbeck could get a toe in.

All in all a fair result, the England players look at ease which is a good sign, the tournament has way to go yet, but England are not the worst team there!

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