Unbeatable O’Sullivan keeps Lionesses at bay
PHIL NEVILLE channelled the spirit of men’s team legends Geoff Hurst and Frank Lampard to ensure his home debut as England women’s manager ended in a controversial draw.
With the two countries battling for one automatic World Cup 2019 qualifying place from Group A, the gap between them was always going to be fine.
But never finer than in the 10th minute when England defender Lucy Bronze cleared Natasha Harding’s deflected shot from what looked like inches behind the line.
Shades of 1966 and 2010, certainly.
Ironically, the goal-line decision system in place at St Mary’s for the Premier League was turned off in line with the competition regulations, so even television viewers could not be absolutely certain. Aside from that early drama, the one moment of note came after 32 minutes when Jordan Nobbs unleashed a shot from fully 30 yards which Wales goalkeeper Laura O’Sullivan did well to touch onto the bar. And while England continued to enjoy the Lioness’s share of possession in the second half, captain Steph Houghton and her troops could not break down the red brick wall in front of them.
It was O’Sullivan who was the hero for Wales again. First she did well to stop Nobbs’ attempt to score direct from a corner, then pushed a fierce drive from substitute Ellen White wide of a post as Wales held on valiantly for their point.
Neville said: “We didn’t play well in the first half and we showed no patience.
“We were a lot better in the second half but we didn’t put the chances away. We kept them hemmed in.
“Full credit to Wales – they sat deep and nullified our threat. A draw was what they came for and what they got.”