England warm up with Ukraine belting

Ukraine were quickly into their stride with some quick decisive passing with Shevchenko prominent in early stages. The AC Milan striker made a run into the England penalty area after skating past Adams and it needed Sol Campbell to make the interception.

England retaliated and won a free-kick in a dangerous position 30 yards out when Sergei Popov brought down Fowler. Beckham’s curling free-kick looked to have the better of Kernozenko but curled inches wide of the far post.

England looked threatening when they ventured forward and the woodwork came to the rescue of the visitors in the ninth minute. Fowler was again the creator with a ball into the path of Scholes, who ran forward into Ukraine penalty area and drilled in a left-footed shot which bounced back off a post.

Much of the early excitement had gone out of the game as England finally looked as if they were coming to terms with Ukrainian attack — and in 44th minute they broke deadlock.

Beckham sent over a right-wing corner which picked out Shearer and his downward header should have been collected by Kernozenko. But the Ukraine ‘keeper allowed the ball to slip from his grasp and Fowler needed no second invitation as he drilled the rebound into the roof of the net from almost point-blank range.

Keegan decided on a change in attack for the second period, bringing on Emile Heskey in place of his Liverpool team-mate Fowler. Shevchenko continued to cause plenty of problems for England. He turned Adams and then went past Campbell before getting in a shot on the turn which was saved by Martyn.

Steven Gerrard burst into the Ukraine penalty area but his shot from a narrow angle was comfortably held by Kernozenko.