Football story by Dominic Taylor, Fri, 03 Mar 2006 03:04:00 GMT


Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole created a goal and scored another to help England defeat Uruguay 2-1 at Anfield in their last friendly match before the World Cup in June. Liverpool striker Peter Crouch had equalized for England after Uruguay defender Omar Pouso had hit a brilliant volley from 25-yards to put the visiting side ahead.

For some time now Cole has been viewed as a second choice player in the national team required only when first choice midfielders were injured or in need of rest. But recent impressive displays for both Chelsea and England has resulted in him soon becoming a player the ability to play in the left side of the pitch, which for long has been England's weak point. Speaking on Cole's performance Erickson said, "Joe Cole was fantastic.

In my opinion, he was the best player on the pitch. He is a very mature player now he knows when to dribble, when to give the ball and when to defend. He was in our own box defending ". England had been dominating the first half and should have taken the lead through captain David Beckham who lobbed the ball over the bar with only the keeper to beat. Uruguay then won a corner which was headed clear by John Terry only for Pouso to smash a volley past Robinson to give Uruguay the lead. Minutes later Wayne Bridge, who was playing in place of injured Ashley Cole, was stretchered off the pitch with an ankle injury. England had two good chances before the break when Fabian Carini then made a great save to deny Terry while Darren Bent hit a shot wide of the goal.

At half-time Erickson replaced Terry and Steven Gerrard for Ledley King and Jermaine Jenas hoping for the equalizer against a team who had not qualified for the World Cup. On 75th minute Wright-Phillips and Crouch came in for Beckham and Rooney to change the game on its head. Jamie Carragher released Cole on the left and his cross was headed home by Crouch. With minutes to go the game looked all but over only for England to repeat its performance against Argentina. A pinpoint cross from Wright-Phillips found Cole who gleefully tucked the ball into the net at the near post.

Match Details
Referee: Stefano Farina (Italy).

England: Robinson, Neville, Ferdinand, Terry (King 45), Bridge (Carragher 30), Beckham (Wright-Phillips 64), Gerrard (Jenas 45), Carrick, Cole, Rooney (Crouch 64), Bent (Defoe 82).
Goals: Crouch 75, Cole 90.

Uruguay: Carini (Viera 45), Diogo, Lugano, Godin, Lima, Pouso, Perez (Gonzalez 88), Varela (Valdez 90), Vargas (Pereira 76), Regueiro (Martinez 83), Forlan (Medina 86).
Goals: Pouso 26.

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