• England 1-1 France, Euro 2012 - Group D

Gerrard delighted to 'get off the mark'

ESPN staff
June 11, 2012
Steven Gerrard was 'satisfied' with England's showing against France © PA Photos
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England captain Steven Gerrard was satisfied after his side launched their Euro 2012 campaign with an encouraging 1-1 draw with France in Donetsk.

Joleon Lescott nodded home the opener in the 31st minute only for Samir Nasri to beat Joe Hart at the near post with a fine strike nine minutes later. England tired in the second half, but they held France out to secure a point from their Group D opener.

"We would have been delighted with a win but as you saw tonight France have got fantastic players,'' Gerrard told ITV1. "We caused them as many problems as they caused us so we're satisfied with the performance.

"But we said before the game that win, lose or draw we wouldn't get carried away and that this was just a platform. It's great to get off the mark points-wise.''

Gerrard was impressed by the performance of 18-year-old Arsenal winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who was preferred ahead of Stewart Downing on the left flank.

"They're young players but good players. Wayne Rooney showed all those years ago that if you're good enough, you're old enough,'' Gerrard said. "Oxlade-Chamberlain showed tonight that he's good enough for this level. He's still got a lot of learning to do, but playing with experienced players he'll get there.''

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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