Portugal pounce after Smith hints at a new chapter

England 1 Portugal 1

It was declared famously on another occasion "and Smith must score..." This time Alan, of Leeds, did not let the surname down, executing England's goal with the precision of a Shearer or a Lineker.

The only problem for Sven Goran Eriksson was that the memory of the bleach blond striker's flashing header, and an overall personal performance that merits further observation, was just about the only abiding one on an afternoon when only the parents and wives of the young pretenders in the England coach's squad here would not have yearned for the final whistle.

The Leeds representatives were always destined to enjoy a major influence on this friendly. Three began – Smith, Lee Bowyer, Danny Mills – another, Jonathan Woodgate, came on as substitute, while a fifth, goalkeeper Paul Robinson, kept the bench warm.

So, it was appropriate that England's goal should be designed, crafted and manufactured from Leeds steel, with Bowyer, on his debut, and Alan Smith, on his first start after three substitute appearances, combining to score from a move straight out of the Elland Road coaching manual. Smith, at 21, has age on his side and, evidently, the potential to succeed at this level.

As Eriksson enthused: "Alan showed that he is really ready for the senior team, and that is very good for us. He can play in different positions and scored a beautiful goal."

Yes, there are still rough edges to be planed away, as he demonstrated with an untidy and unnecessary challenge in the closing seconds on Hugo Viana, which left the Portugal substitute clutching his stomach. But it was more an action that exemplified his desire to impress rather than any malice.

Whether such approval can be applied to Bowyer is debatable. There are, no doubt, those who would have preferred it had the midfielder failed abysmally and been destined never to darken England's doorstep again, but the midfielder merits at least another chance after a performance where, unlike Smith, he appeared slightly overawed by his new surroundings.

Nevertheless, it was correct that he was back in contention and offered his chance. We may regard with considerable distaste some of his off-field behaviour. We would probably not give him house room. But one incident was several years ago, and although the more publicised event was more recent he was acquitted. There appeared no reason to deny him the opportunity of representing his country, any more than when Tony Adams emerged from Chelmsford jail.

Eriksson, you imagine, will not be unduly troubled by that moral maze. His priority will be to analyse an uninspiring performance as he prepares for his team's first qualifying game in Slovakia in a month's time, swiftly followed by a home game with Macedonia.

In midfield, Nicky Butt displayed the midfield energy and wisdom that had characterised his World Cup, but the Liverpool pair of Emile Heskey, and Steven Gerrard were unconvincing. Gerrard, perhaps still requiring time to attain his optimum after summer surgery, was off the pace, and his set-pieces were poor. He only lasted until half-time. His Anfield team-mate, Michael Owen, was subdued. The rearguard frequently looked fallible to an incisive counter-attack, while David James did not suggest he is the long-term successor to David Seaman in goal.

However, it must all be placed in context. Seventy-eight days on from the high drama of Shizuoka, scene of England's World Cup exit, this was the antithesis of that nervy afternoon as both coaches made numerous substitutions. Eriksson's first team of his second era contained five different personnel from the one eliminated by Brazil, though he largely retained faith with his World Cup players. All the absentees had been declared injured, apart from Seaman, who made way for James.

In the first 60 seconds, Smith got the better of Fernando Couto down the right and crossed hard. The ball ran out to Bowyer, but his drive did not trouble goalkeeper Vitor Baia. Neither did Butt's snap shot from distance.

Smith was exactly what you expected him to be; lively, combative, constantly in the thick of things. He exudes self-confidence and appears to regard all levels of opposition with the same disdain.

A brief rainfall just before the start had made the surface tricky, but it seemed to benefit Portugal more as their intricate interplay around England box presented problems to the rearguard. In one sortie, the ball deflected off Luis Figo and nearly deceived James, but he managed to turn it round the post.

After that initial surge by England, it all went flat. Butt worked hard to instigate movements, but too few of his team-mates were on the same communication level. Bowyer, who had earlier displayed the less savoury part of his game when he felled Simão – a foul that would have earned him a caution in the Premiership but not here – was willing enough in the Beckham role on the right, but is really at his best when driving from central midfield.

As the end of the half approached, a rainbow formed over the Doug Ellis Stand. No pot of gold but something just as precious – a first international goal for Smith. Six minutes before the break, Owen delivered a fine crossfield pass to Bowyer, lurking on the right. Almost as second nature he dispatched a delightful cross deep into the box. Smith knew instinctively where to aim, and his powerful near-post header was a formality.

David Dunn emerged to claim his first cap after the interval, replacing Gerrard. The three other changes were all defenders, with Woodgate, Owen Hargreaves and Wayne Bridge entering.

In the opening moments, Southgate was called upon to thwart Nuno Gomes, one of eight Portugal half-time substitutes, with a splendid last-ditch challenge. From the resulting corner Fernando Meira's deflected header rebounded off the bar. Another corner, a deep one, and this time, Nuno Gomes headed against the post.

Then Trevor Sinclair, Danny Murphy and Joe Cole came off the bench and it all became disorganised. But one player who caught the eye with his trickery on the ball was Dunn. He created one opportunity with a fine ball to Joe Cole, whose cross found Emile Heskey. The Liverpool man shot wide.

England were made to rue that miss because, with 10 minutes remaining, Viana's corner picked out Costinha and his header gave James no chance. "In the second half we marked very badly," said Eriksson. That, it must be said, was the least of England's problems at the culmination of their coach's most troubled week.

England 1 Portugal 1
Smith 40 Costinha 79

Half-time: 1-0 Attendance: 40,058