Hero Richards on target as Pearce dodges upset
ENGLAND U21 (2) vs. FINLAND U21 (1)
A BULLET header from Manchester City defender Micah Richards got 10-man England off to a winning start at the European Under-21 Championship in Sweden.
Middlesbrough midfielder Lee Cattermole’s deflected shot put Stuart Pearce’s men in front against the run of play in the tournament opener in Halmstad. But England’s fortunes deteriorated when Chelsea centre-back Michael Mancienne was sent off for a professional foul and captain Tim Sparv equalised from the penalty.
However Richards powered home a header after the break to hand England all three points.
“I think we showed courage,” said Pearce. “Did we play well enough to trouble the tournament? No. But they have lots of character and we have to couple that with our ability.”
England: Hart, Cranie, Richards (Tomkins 89), Mancienne, Gibbs, Muamba, Cattermole, Noble (capt), Milner, Agbonlahor (Rodwell 85), Walcott.