FOWLER & ADAMS SHEV OFF
THE first ever clash between England and Ukraine is remembered for a number of different reasons.
That friendly on May 30, 2000 would prove to be the Three Lions’ last win at the old Wembley Stadium. It was also Steven Gerrard’s debut and Alan Shearer’s last home match.
Though the sides had never played before England knew very well who the Ukrainian danger man was.
Andriy Shevchenko (below) had topped the Serie A goalscoring charts with AC Milan the previous season and could easily put a dent in Kevin Keegan’s side with just weeks to go until the European Championship.
England looked shaky at the back as Keegan tried an unfamiliar 3-5-2 formation, but Ukraine, with future Premier League players Oleg Luzhny and Sergei Rebrov in their line-up, were unable to take advantage.
And, after Paul Scholes hit the post, Robbie Fowler put England ahead.
David Beckham’s corner picked out Tony Adams on the edge of the six-yard box, keeper Vyacheslav Kernozenko could not hang onto his powerful header and Fowler was perfectly placed to stab the loose ball into the roof of the net from close range.
The Liverpool striker knew his place in the Euros was secure when Keegan replaced him with Emile Heskey at the break.
The second half became a duel between Shevchenko and England keeper Nigel Martyn.
A minute into the second period, Shevchenko raced away from Sol Campbell and let fly with a fierce shot that Martyn kept out.
The Three Lions cat was also at full stretch to save a header from Shevchenko that was heading for his top corner, and then tipped a free-kick over the bar.
England went on to go further clear in the 68th minute through Adams.
Beckham swung in another corner that Kernozenko punched away, under pressure from Shearer, and the ball dropped to the Arsenal defender.
His right-foot shot bounced its way through the crowded goalmouth and over the stranded Kernozenko for 2-0.
England went on to dominate the rest of the match and had close chances to go even further clear from Heskey and fellow sub Nick Barmby.