Football: England's man-for-man marking

Stephen Brenkley
Saturday 27 June 1998 23:02 BST
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David Seaman

Little to do, performed unhurriedly and may now need a severe test of reflexes and kicking from the floor in training

before Tuesday's game against Argentina.

Gary Neville

Further eased his way into his role at the back. Mostly accurate in the tackle, a tad less certain when passing the ball forward but is growing in stature.

Tony Adams

Alert, astute, orderly. Calming influence not least in opening stages when England were in bull-in-china-shop mode. Living on instincts in making winning tackles but instincts serving him well.

Sol Campbell

Doubtless benefits from playing alongside Adams but is his own man. Unfazed and

formidable, the sight of him charging

forward is as thrilling as it must be

unsettling for opponents.

Darren Anderton

No finer spectacle than a wronged

footballer setting the record straight. Busy and canny; timely volleyed goal; clearly only needs to play internationals between sicknotes.

Paul Ince

Vocal, passionate, never-say-die and never missed tackle. Brave, desperate to do well. Played a couple of rustic, ambitious passes meant to be probing which missed their target.

David Beckham

Eminently articulate reply to coach who said he was not focused. Occasional

powder-puff tackling offset by energy and a sizzling free-kick to grace any

tournament.

Graeme Le Saux

Was possible to see thinking-man's footballer thinking that all was not well with his game. Worryingly caught out tracking back; still gives team exciting options on left flank.

Paul Scholes

Human dynamo. With carrot top and perpetual motion impossible to resist comparison with Alan Ball despite style differences. Not every ball a winner but popped up where least expected.

Alan Shearer

Heavily marked but as ever willingly roamed to find space. Won and held up ball if necessary but still not in possession of his sharpest shooting boots.

Michael Owen

Enviably huge talent put in some perspective. Did not match the feats of his earlier substitute appearance, but his pace was electrifying. Cannot afford to squander good chances later in tournament.

Steve McManaman

(for Scholes, 73) In 17 minutes did enough to demonstrate that his dainty dribbling could yet be influential against miserly

defences. Still gives ball away too much.

Other substitutes: Robert Lee (for Anderton, 79), David Batty (for Ince, 82)

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