Manchester United defender Chris Smalling’s late goal sealed a third victory in as many friendly matches for England.
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Hodgson fielded forwards Wayne Rooney, Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy from the start, but despite Portugal losing Bruno Alves to a first-half red card, it took an 86th-minute header from centre-back Chris Smalling for his side to prevail at a subdued Wembley on Thursday. He further added that England’s squad, owing to its young players, had improved a lot over the years. “It is about all of us, not three of us”.
Former England global Trevor Sinclair has claimed that Roy Hodgson’s refusal to drop skipper Wayne Rooney could lead to a disappointing Euro 2016 for the Three Lions.
Harry Kane has established himself as England’s first choice striker as they head into the European Championships in France.
Asked what he thought Rooney’s best position was, he said: “You’re talking about the player who has played 111 games for England and scored 53 goals so perhaps his best position is anywhere on the field”.
The 22-year-old Tottenham striker has a point in that there’s a learning curve if Rooney, Vardy and Kane haven’t played together at all. “If you play with them going down the middle and Rooney in behind them, you would never be able to defend the wide areas”.
Smalling’s victor now means that the Three Lions’ last three goals have all been scored by Manchester United teammates, after Rooney and teenage striker Marcus Rashford netted against Australia last month.
Rooney’s place in the England line-up has been questioned with strike duo Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy in fine form ahead of Euro 2016.
Portugal substitute Ricardo Quaresma gave England a scare by curling a shot just wide, but with four minutes remaining Raheem Sterling crossed from the left for Smalling to head in the victor. “I am not sure what system Roy is playing”, former England defender Danny Mills told BBC Sport.
“Portugal played well defensively”, Santos said.
“When England are most vulnerable is when we’re attacking”, said Butcher.
“We protected our defense and also England didn’t really have many opportunities to score against us”.
But with his side’s Group “B” opener against Russian Federation in Marseille just nine days away, it took Smalling’s first worldwide goal to secure victory after the hosts had toiled badly despite playing against 10 men following the 35th-minute dismissal of Bruno Alves. “It was a strong tackle but it’s not going to happen again”.
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Portugal will begin their campaign in Group F with a match against Iceland on June 14, and Ronaldo insists all his focus is on that opening game.
