Half Time Update – England v Israel – Chelsea’s Wright-Phillips Put England In The Lead As Three Lions Dominate At Wembley

Test your football knowledge in our World Cup Quiz

Half Time Update – England v Israel – Chelsea’s Wright-Phillips Put England In The Lead As Three Lions Dominate At Wembley

Submitted by Niraj Prabhu on Sat, 08/09/2007 - 17:53.

Shaun Wright-Phillips gave England a 1-0 lead at half time against Israel in the Euro 2008 Group E qualifier at Wembley on Saturday.

The home side created plenty of chances in the first half but could not build on their lead that had come about as the in-form Chelsea winger found the target in the 20th minute.

After much probing, England’s first chance fell to Emile Heskey in the 10th minute with strike partner Michael Owen setting him up in the Israel box. The powerful Wigan Athletic striker however blasted the ball over the goal.

Israel were totally defensive from the start but Liverpool winger Yossi Benayoun orchestrated a few moves into the rival half.

Steven Gerrard was tackled in a cynical way by Shimon Gershon in the 15th minute resulting in a free-kick, which was however cleared to safety. On the ensuing corner, Heskey saw his header going wide of the mark.

Wright-Phillips opened the scoring in the 20th minute when he took the chance with a superb finish from the six-yard box, meeting first-time the cross supplied by fellow Chelsea team-mate Joe Cole from left.

Following the goal, Israel opened up a bit and had a brief spell of possession but they were lacking in ideas coming into the final one-third of the pitch.

Wright-Phillips earned a free-kick in a promising position on right side but Gareth Barry’s teasing delivery was well collected by Dudu Aouate.

A good opportunity for Steve McClaren’s side went begging in the 35th minute as Joe Cole saw his cross go across the face of the goal with Owen and Heskey not coming close to meet the ball.

Newcastle striker Owen saw his close range shot blocked by Aouate but could not keep the rebound on target, from a tight angle in the 38th minute after Joe Cole had done well to set up the chance.

Ashley Cole’s low shot was parried away by Aouate after Barry had supplied a perfect through ball to set up the opportunity for Owen, who passed the ball to the attacking Chelsea left-back in the 41st minute.

Bookmark/Search this post with: