• World Cup

England claim comfortable win in final warm-up game

Soccernet staff
June 7, 2010
Joe Cole was the only England player to play the full 90 minutes © Getty Images
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England came through an unimpressive but injury-free 3-0 victory over South African side Platinum Stars in their final game before Saturday's Group C clash with USA.

Jermain Defoe gave England the lead after he tapped in Steven Gerrard's cut back from the right after a strong run into the box.

But the floodgates never opened for England and Glen Johnson conceded a penalty just five minutes later, when he was caught the wrong side of Mzikayisa Meshaba, clumsily shoved him in the back.

Joe Hart, who got the nod to start ahead of Robert Green and David James, was delighted to see Bradley Grobler blaze his penalty high over the bar.

After poor performances against Mexico and Japan, England were disjointed from start to finish at the Moruleng Stadium near Rustenburg, despite ten half-time changes by Fabio Capello.

Joe Cole was the only player to survive the cull and it was he who doubled England's lead in the 63rd minute. Cole finished with ease beyond the rushing keeper after Rooney had made a surging run from midfield.

A moment of concern for Capello would have been the re-emergence of Rooney's short fuse, as he saw yellow for dissent and put in a number of heavy tackles not worthy of the occasion.

Rooney then added gloss to a disappointing display after volleying home Milner's left footed cross in what was the best move of the game after 85 minutes.

Every player in the 23-man squad got a run-out by Capello with the exception of Gareth Barry, who is hoping to be fit to face USA, and David James, raising fears over the severity of the knee problem he has been carrying since last week's flight from London.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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