VARDY 1 VAR 1 Striker grabs first England goal in a year before Lions held by ref drama
Video heartache after Raheem wins over fans
JAMIE VARDY’S first England goal in a year was undone by another VAR shambles.
The Three Lions were heading for a second win in four days after Vardy’s stunning strike in the 26th minute, his first since March 26 last year.
But, three minutes from time, German referee Deniz Aytekin ruled Burnley defender James Tarkowski – making his debut – had fouled Federico Chiesa.
TV replays suggested minimal contact and that sub
RAHEEM STERLING called on England fans to show him some love – and he got plenty of it at Wembley.
Sadly, a late VAR decision played gooseberry and spoiled the romance by gifting Italy a penalty which Lorenzo Insigne converted.
It was rough on England, as the video replay did not look to conclusively show James Tarkowski had tripped Federico Chiesa.
It was not the first VAR controversy and sadly took the gloss off a performance lit up by Sterling, who was by far the best player on the pitch.
He finally produced his Manchester City form in a Three Lions shirt with a performance to give optimism for the World Cup.
Suddenly Sterling and Jesse Lingard, with another fine display, has put the heat on Dele Alli, who appeareda shoo-in to start in Russia but will now be sweating on his place.
That is the kind of problem Gareth Southgate has been looking for, competition all over the pitch and players – particularly like Sterling – playing with freedom and confidence for their country.
Southgate’s revolution, putting faith in young players and trying to play good football, is reaping rewards and there are what might be early signs of a team to make the nation proud.
After the Holland game on Friday night, John Stones talked about wanting to play out from the back and how Southgate would not punish players for making mistakes.
Well, not even Southgate can afford to let Stones’ wretched start to this game go unnoticed, with the England defender twice caught out in the first four minutes.
First, he made a mistake trying to play offside and nearly paid for it. Then he was caught dawdling on the ball, Ciro Immobile – the most unfortunate name for a striker in world football – nicked it, went through and Stones recovered just in time to make a block.
It set a bad tone for England, the optimism from beating Holland quickly ebbed away and suddenly Wembley felt a bit flat. You could almost hear a pin drop.
Then, after another let-off as Immobile headed a glorious chance wide, England began to find their rhythm, which lifted the crowd and changed the mood.
They upped the tempo, Sterling and Lingard going through the gears, while Vardy’s pace always carried a threat.
They were ahead after 27 minutes when Sterling was fouled. Lingard reacted instantly, taking a quick freekick to set Vardy on his way.
The Leicester striker controlled the ball, then smashed it past keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and into the roof of the net.
It was the sort of emphatic finish which will surely make Southgate think seriously about starting him alongside Harry Kane at the World Cup.
Sterling was everywhere, darting all over the pitch, looking for angles and openings with the kind of all-action performance which will earn him the love he so desires from the England fans.
He carried on where he left off in the second half, running at Italy’s defence, setting up Ashley Young and going for goal himself.
If the fans do not love him now then they never will.
But England’s night was ruined in the 87th minute when German referee Deniz Aytekin used the VAR system by viewing a pitchside monitor before deciding Tarkowski had tripped Chiesa.
Up stepped Insighe to fire in the equaliser.