BEATEN NEVILLE WON’T DUCK THE WORLD CUP CHALLENGE

PHil neville was unflinching about the level of pressure facing an england side expected to do nothing less than win the World Cup. ‘We’re not going to back off or be fearful or panicky about it,’ he said.

last night his team lost what was, in many ways, a classic World Cup warm-up game — written through with the anxiety of a side playing for a place in neville’s squad, which will be announced within the month.

it also revealed a manager searching for the right formation.

the winner came late — with Canada’s outstanding Christine Sinclair controlling and converting a shot after england keeper Karen bardsley had tipped a drive on to the bar.

england lacked invention, created very little and could have few complaints. neville has delivered the passing game which characterises all the Fa teams in his 15 months in this job, with far less of the pragmatism and far more possession than his predecessor Mark Sampson had shown.

but the Canadians — who england knocked out of the last World Cup — drew errors out of the hosts.

england found an edge after the interval. Karen Carney bent a shot wide and struck one straight at the keeper. nikita Parris got behind the defence and crossed for Jodie taylor, who could not connect. at least this display may take some of the expectation off england shoulders.