RASH, BANG WALLOP!
Prodigy strikes with first shot for England to stake Euros claim
NO matter the size of the stage or indeed the size of the audience, nothing appears to faze the remarkable Marcus Rashford. His first shot in the Premier League: goal. His first appearance in the Europa League: two goals. And here last night in Sunderland, his first shot in international football: yet another goal.
The fact that this one arrived after just 138 seconds only added to the sense of excitement that now surrounds this teenager from Manchester United, who became the youngest player to score on his England debut.
Not to mention the sense of anticipation that an already astonishing season, one that only really started in February, will conclude with his inclusion in the squad Roy Hodgson takes to this summer’s European Championship.
Hodgson agreed afterwards that ‘he would not look out of place in anybody’s 23’ and before he names his party for France on Tuesday he is sure to digest what he witnessed here last night.
Hodgson had suggested on the eve of this friendly encounter with Australia that the football world would be watching Rashford. The young striker not only delivered, he took his opportunity with aplomb, meeting a deflected Raheem Sterling delivery with a wonderful volley.
Rashford wore the expression of someone who was slightly embarrassed as he turned to meet a group of delighted new team-mates.
Some 13 years after Wayne Rooney took international football by storm with a stunning performance at the same Stadium of Light, another England star had most certainly been born.
This was Rooney of 2004, Michael Owen of 1998, and on the bench Rooney could only smile at the sight of history repeating itself.
Rooney might now be the elder statesman of the England squad but he too wasted little time in proving a point to manager Roy Hodgson (right), scoring a quite brilliant goal of his own 10 minutes after joining the game as a half-time substitute.
It probably settles the argument as to whether the England captain features in the side that starts against Russia on June 11, but another debate will now rage when it comes to the identity of the forwards who travel to France.
For Daniel Sturridge, sat in the stands last night, the more immediate future is uncertain. He might have insisted afterwards that he would be fit to train over the next few days after missing this contest because of a nagging calf problem.
But he looked deeply unhappy when captured by a television camera, and more than a little disengaged when one particular photograph caught him looking at his mobile phone.
Hodgson may take a dim view of that and find himself favouring the precociously gifted Rashford even more.
How can he not take Rashford to Euro 2016 when here is a kid simply raring to make his mark at a major tournament, when the alternative is a player, however dangerous he might be when fit and on form, who is so unfortunate with injuries?
Sturridge has played just 58 minutes of international football since September 2014.
Curiously Hodgson said fitness would not be a reason for omitting him from the 23. And when he reflects on these warm-up encounters with Australia and Turkey over the coming days, he might yet conclude that there is an argument for taking both Rashford and Sturridge. The Liverpool striker’s brilliant goal in the Europa League final may be persuasive enough to get him on the plane.
Other players are sure to consider their own places in jeopardy after last night. Danny Drinkwater might have excelled for Leicester this season but he struggled here, albeit in a wide midfield position. It was a role that clearly did not suit him but he could soon be joining the injured Fabian Delph in being left behind. Andros Townsend was probably a late replacement for Danny Welbeck but he seized his chance compared to, say, Ross Barkley. That said, it could yet be Townsend who misses out if Hodgson opts for five strikers.
Again last night, there were concerns about the defence against a decent Australia side. Afterwards Hodgson said Chris Smalling’s apparent hamstring problem was nothing more than cramp but if Eric Dier travels as central defensive cover, the fact that he scored a 75th minute own goal within three minutes of replacing Smalling was not terribly encouraging.
England’s goals were more impressive, of course, with Rashford feeding a pass into the path of Sterling before racing forward to meet a return ball that spun into the air off Bailey Wright. There remained plenty to do but Rashford’s finish was outstanding as he squeezed his shot between Mat Ryan and the Australia goalkeeper’s near post.
The goal succeeded in disguising what was actually a fairly disjointed start for England. They lacked composure, conceding possession far too easily.
But there were some other positives for Hodgson. Ryan Bertrand may well have played his way into the team for the Portugal game on Thursday after an excellent display at left back, while Adam Lallana had a fine 45 minutes.
Rooney, too, was very good in the central role in a front three, Hodgson having changed his formation after the interval.
His goal was a peach, with an otherwise fairly ordinary Sterling again the supplier. To his credit his cross found Rooney in a huge amount of space, the skipper driving the ball past Ryan and into the roof of the net from around 20 yards for his 52nd England goal.
Another eight minutes and Rashford’s night was over, Hodgson opting to take him off and send on Barkley. The fans gave him a standing ovation. The question now is whether Hodgson offers him a seat on the plane.