David James
Having been virtually a spectator at Wembley on Saturday, other than picking
the ball out of his net, James was the busiest man on the pitch during the
first half. Made smart saves from Molosh, Sitko and Kutuzov in the first 20
minutes and could not be faulted for the goal. Still by far the best of
England’s limited goalkeeping options despite occasional aberrations. 7
Wes Brown
The Manchester United defender’s performances have improved dramatically as a
result of Fabio Capello’s surprising show of faith, but this was a return to
the bad old days. Sitko caused him problems from the start, getting past him
easily several times before nipping in behind him to score the equaliser,
but Brown was afforded little protection by Walcott. 5
Rio Ferdinand
Won friends this week by blaming the WAGs and ensuing celebrity circus for
England’s previous failings, but the team’s shortcomings on this occasion
lay closer to home among his fellow defenders. Ferdinand did his best to
atone for their sins by making crucial clearances and winning some important
headers, but for all his leadership aspirations, he is clearly more
comfortable alongside John Terry. 6
Matthew Upson
Another jittery performance as he was pulled out of position by Belarus’s
impressive movement, with Ferdinand’s guidance just about getting him
through the game. With Joleon Lescott no more reliable, Capello may have to
look again at Jonathan Woodgate, because Ledley King’s fitness problems show
no sign of abating and the manager needs a dependable deputy for Terry. 5
Wayne Bridge
Not as bad as his nightmare against Croatia on his previous competitive
appearance last November, but still looked vulnerable. Bridge has played
only seven minutes in the Barclays Premier League for Chelsea this season
and was rusty, giving the ball away early on and easily beaten by Stasevich
for Belarus’s equaliser. Recovered in the second half to help to create
Rooney’s second goal. 5
Theo Walcott
Endured some difficult moments when out of the game during the first half, but
with his pace will always threaten, however sporadically. Just about got the
better of an intriguing running battle with Molosh, beating him for pace
towards the end of the first half only to shoot at the goalkeeper, but will
have to show more defensive resilience if he is to keep his place for away
matches. 6
Frank Lampard
Continued his impressive start to the season with another mature display,
which, with any luck, will have demonstrated once and for all that he can
play in the same side as Gerrard, if not directly in tandem. As in Zagreb a
month ago, Lampard’s most notable characteristic was his discipline, holding
his position and using the ball effectively. 7
Gareth Barry
The Aston Villa player shares little common ground with Usain Bolt, but both
appear to be nervous starters, Barry sacrificing possession with a sloppy
pass in the second minute to set the tone for a largely disappointing
display. Often appeared outnumbered in midfield, but did not help himself by
being caught out of position upfield. Owen Hargreaves will have watched with
interest. 5
Steven Gerrard
The Liverpool captain has borne the glum countenance of a serial offender on
death row recently, but even his sullen features sparkled after the
magnificent goal that put England ahead. Almost as impressive was his
willingness to stick to his role, only coming inside to strengthen midfield
when England were overrun. This should prove to the doubters, notably
himself, that he can hurt opponents from the left. 7
Wayne Rooney
Another outstanding performance to prove beyond doubt that Rooney is best
deployed through the middle. Showed his impressive workrate by winning the
ball for Gerrard to score the opening goal and could have doubled England’s
lead shortly afterwards, but headed wide from Heskey’s cross. Made amends in
the second half with two well-taken goals to take his tally to five in three
games. 8
Emile Heskey
After toiling hard against Croatia, was at his most threatening for some time,
creating a first-half chance for Rooney with nimble footwork, heading wide
of the near post from a corner by Lampard and making the second for his
strike partner with a surprising burst of speed down the left. Is developing
a similar understanding with Rooney that he once enjoyed with Michael Owen. 7
Substitutes
Shaun Wright-Phillips (for Walcott, 68min): Helped to stretch play
against tiring opponents 5.
Peter Crouch (for Heskey, 70): Happy to be Heskey’s understudy after
exclusion from previous squads 5.
David Beckham (for Rooney, 87): Another day, another cap. 107 and
counting.
Not used Scott Carson, Glen Johnson, Joleon Lescott, Jermain Defoe.
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BOTTOM OF THIS ARTICLE.
How Belarus rated
(4-1-3-1-1) Yury Zhevnov 5, Sergei Omelyanchuk 5, Egor Filipenko 5,
Dmitry Verkhovtsov 5, Dmitry Molosh 6, Alexander Kulchy 5, Igor Stasevich 6,
Anton Putilo 5, Pavel Sitko 7, Vitaly Kutuzov 6, Vitaly Bulyga 5. Substitutes
Vitaly Rodionov 4 (for Putilo, 66min); Oleg Strakhanovich (for Kutuzov, 78) Not
used Sergei Veremko, Vladimir Korytko, Vyacheslav Hleb, Alexander
Pavlov, Sergei Sasnouski.
RefereeTerje Hauge (Norway).
Crowd watch
With Ashley Cole straining his relationship with England supporters and his
hamstring against Kazakhstan, the boos-addicted section of the England
support went cold turkey in the absence of an easy target. There were about
2,500 England fans and those who spend small fortunes following England
across the Continent are less likely to heckle the players than the punters
who merely have to endure a trip to Wembley on the Tube. The Dynamo Stadium
had the redolent ambience of the old Soviet Union, an impression undermined
by electronic advertising hoardings extolling the virtues of Thames Valley
University and Kit Kats.
Capello watch
Despite wearing a businesslike shirt and tie, he looked like a volcano giving
serious consideration to erupting. His frustration was evident: even just a
minute after half-time, he bellowed with fury when Walcott miscontrolled the
ball. When Belarus equalised, Capello’s furrowed face became so craggy that
Sir Ranulph Fiennes is probably planning an expedition to climb it. Were he
not a stylish and sophisticated multimillionaire in designer spectacles, one
might even have suggested that on occasion Capello was screwing up his mouth
like a toothless pensioner in training for the World Gurning Championships.
Referee watch
Not a difficult night, though a challenge by Putsilo in the first half was
late and two-footed, yet the referee brandished only yellow. He was lenient
again after 35 minutes for a bad challenge by Omelyanchuk on Rooney. Yet, as
Arsenal fans are well aware, Terje Hauge knows exactly where his back pocket
is: he made Jens Lehmann the first player to be sent off in a European Cup
final as Barcelona beat Arsenal in 2006. He had notoriously sent off Asier
Del Horno when Chelsea met the Catalan side. The 43-year-old Norwegian also
took charge of England’s poor 2-2 draw with the Czech Republic, way back in
the mists of time (August 20).
Captain watch
Ferdinand emulated the absent John Terry by picking up an injury and playing
on regardless: he was limping after 37 minutes. Too composed and calm to
fling his body around like the Chelsea man, the defence did miss Terry’s
desperate zest and they allowed Belarus too much time and space. The back
line were under pressure because the midfield was not an effective bulwark
in the first half. So Ferdinand might be criticised for failing to instil
enough urgency and bite in the players in front of him. The way Belarus
sliced through England’s spine for the equaliser was disturbing. Theo
Walcott needed to be reminded of his defensive responsibilities, too.
Circus watch
There is a real State Circus in central Minsk almost year-round, but being
more hammer and sickle than Dolce & Gabbana, it is an ideal city for
those seeking to avoid the decadent distractions that Ferdinand admitted
have waylaid England squads under previous management. A long flight,
unappealing climate and shopping specialities including embroidered linen,
straw-crafted items and vodka meant that this was never going to rival
Baden-Baden as a desirable destination for the paparazzi-bait. In the
absence of scantily clad WAGs, the only busts likely to distract the England
side were made of stone and depicting Lenin.
Tactics watch
Creosote the fence or go down the pub? Gerrard or Lampard? For Capello it has
become like one of those unwelcome duties that you keep putting off until
you absolutely have to. So England used 4-4-2 with Gerrard down the left in
Joe Cole’s absence, last Saturday’s 4-3-3 scheme having rapidly gone from
chalkboard to pitch to dustbin. After his fine goal, it seems churlish to
point out that, like New Labour, Gerrard starts on the left but
instinctively moves towards the centre. He was in the middle of the pitch
when he scored. Whatever, Capello has clearly found a formula that squeezes
the best from Rooney.
Words by Tom Dart
