MATCHES IN THE FIRST HALF OF 2001

28/2/01 England 3-0 Spain

In Sven Goran Eriksson's first match in charge England was impressive in a 3-0 victory. England almost played two teams with eighteen players for them on the field at some stage. Nicky Barmby was especially impressive scoring the first goal in the 38th minute. Later goals were scored by Emile Heskey in the 54th minute and Ugo Ehiogu in the 70th minute. The surprise debutant Chris Powell of Charlton also impressed at left fullback. This was a very good first match for Sven Goran Eriksson's England but it was only a friendly.

24/3/01 England 2-1 Finland

England put their 2002 World Cup qualification campaign back on track in this match with goals from Michael Owen in the 43rd minute and David Beckham in the 50th minute cancelling out an own goal by Gary Neville in the 27th minute. It was a good performance by captain David Beckham who led the troops to give Sven Goran Eriksson two wins from two matches.

28/3/01 England 3-1 Albania

Michael Owen scored in the 73rd minute, Paul Scholes in the 85th minute and Andy Cole broke his scoring duck for England in the 90th minute. Another win by England put them firmly back in the 2002 World Cup qualifying hunt. It was another good performance by both captain David Beckham and Michael Owen. For the second successive game Emile Heskey came on to impact on the left side of midfield. England have shown that they have the ability at least to reach a play-off spot.

25/5/01 England 4-0 Mexico

England  beat Mexico in a friendly easily with an impressive first half display. Steven Gerrard showed his impressive skills and Robbie Fowler made a good return to the starting line-up. Goals came from Paul Scholes in the 3rd minute, Robbie Fowler in the 14th minute and David Beckham in teh 29th minute. The second half featured an almost totally different side with only Phil Neville completing the match. Teddy Sheringham completed the scoring with a goal in the 74th minute.

7/6/01 England 2-0 Greece

This win, to make it five wins from five for Sven Goran Eriksson, has put England in a strong position to at least finish second in the group and qualify for the play-offs for the World Cup. Greece were their closest rivals and this display was a convincing result. Beckham scored his third goal in four games, off a free kick, in the 87th minute. Scholes had earlier given England the lead in the 64th minute.

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