Three Lions’ opening World Cup win was made in the Midlands!
MADE in the West Midlands – England’s first and last goals scored by Jude Bellingham and Jack Grealish in a stunning 6-2 opening Group B match win over Iran, while Cov Kid Callum Wilson supplied an assist late on.
Bellingham, 19, started his career at Birmingham City. Twenty-sevenyear old Grealish has spent most of his career at Aston Villa. They are local boys who have made good. Bellingham was outstanding. Grealish came on as substitute and did the business.
Gareth Southgate, delighted but realistic, knows Iran are the weakest team and USA should be much more challenging on Friday.
But for most of the game England were very good. They have a talented squad and the head coach’s selections paid off, both starting and subs. England have a good chance, despite being written off as quarterfinalists or semis at a push.
I have never agreed with that and I have not let the second-rate Nations League tournament cloud my opinion.
Southgate was not cautious in this opener. This was a fine attacking display which broke down the Iran defence once they got going.
Leading 3-0 at half-time means you do not expect so many in the second half with the game practically won but England doubled the score.
It was disappointing to give away two goals to Porto striker Mehdi Taremi – the second was less of a penalty than the first-half felling of Harry Maguire and John Stones. However, it did not matter.
Bukayo Saka scored two, Raheem Sterling and sub Marcus Rashford the others.
It is important that England finish top of their group. They would then play the runners-up of Group A, likely to be Ecuador rather than Senegal with Sadio Mane injured. The runners-up in England’s group should expect to play Holland.
England are on course to beat the USA and then Wales next Tuesday. Everyone has had their say on Qatar. Few do not think it is wrong but it is happening and we need to get on with it.
What is really going to happen to Coventry City?
Are you confused about the takeover by a man called Doug King who I am told has close connections with SISU and Joy Sepala who retains 15%.
Mr King may be great news. I do not know. He talks about Premier League football again one day.
Really? Mike Ashley has bought the Coventry Building Society Arena. Will that be renamed? I do not know.
Answers on a postcard please. Meanwhile, I hope I live long enough to see the Sky Blues in the Premier League!
The World Cup means that the only English football matches available to watch are in League One, League Two and National League and below, plus next week’s FA Cup second round.
Solihull Moors’ unlucky firstround replay defeat at League Two Hartlepool last week means they will be without a match until the home game with Oldham on December 3 (kick off 12.30pm).
It will do them good to clear their heads after a disappointing run of results – the most recent being Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at third-placed Chesterfield.
This left Solihull seventh, the last play-off position but only a point
above Bromley and Dagenham & Redbridge with others closing in.
Unlucky in the replay at Hartlepool but their run is now three successive league defeats and two draws. Their last win was October 22 at home to Eastleigh.
The Moors have a good squad and manager in Neal Ardley and will come again but they need to improve their finishing – a strong point last season.
However, one item of good news. The Moors are a great community club and this was recognised when the Football Supporters’ Association named them as the non-league community club of the year at their 2022 awards evening.
The Moors are rightly proud of their Solihull Foundation and the work carried out to reinforce the local community, supporting those most in need through football and education projects.
Well done to CEO Becci Fox and chairman Ed Parker together with all those involved and many volunteers.
Leamington Spa’s Commonwealth Games boxing heavyweight gold medallist Lewis Williams has moved up to number four in the world rankings.
The 6ft 6in Williams, who is 24 on Christmas Eve, has been switching on the Christmas lights on the Leamington Spa Parade.
Also on his list for the same honour will be Whitnash, Warwick and Kenilworth.
Williams, recovering from a broken right hand sustained in the quarter-finals, is back in full-time training with the Great Britain squad in Sheffield. He is aiming for another gold medal at the Paris Olympics before turning professional.
I return with the Sunday Mercury with IMPACT and more memories from my TV career.