Nev claims max factor
PHIL NEVILLE insisted his Lionesses aren’t at risk of losing their World Cup feelgood factor despite this latest defeat.
England are winless in five games after a secondhalf howler from keeper Mary Earps helped hand Brazil victory in front of a record Riverside Stadium turnout.
Neville’s side lacked a cutting edge to leave them without a victory for more than 100 days following g a fourth defeat in five. e.
Neville (right) said “I don’t think we’re in danger of losing that feelgood factor. There was a buzz in the air, ir, and this was the best atmosphere I’ve ever witnessed at a women’s game.
“I’m sure the crowd’s gone home convinced they’ve seen a really good team play unbelievably well. Five games without a win is disappointing but the kind of backing we received from the fans is here to stay and the momentum will continue to build.”
England’s last win came against Norway en route to a fourth-place World-cup finish in France this summer. The Lionesses fly to Portugal today ahead of Tuesday’s friendly, and Neville added: “We should have been three or four goals up and I want to see us show more ruthlessness in the final third.”
Teesside rolled out the red carpet in front of the biggest turnout for an England women’s friendly outside Wembley as 29,238 saw Jodie Taylor, Beth Mead and Nikita Parris all waste good opportunities.
That sloppiness proved costly when Manchester United keeper Earps allowed a tame header from unmarked forward Debinha to squirm through her grasp and over the line four minutes after the break.
Debinha – the game’s outstanding performer – doubled her tally thanks to more lax England defending just after the hour. The T Brazilian goalscorer g reacted first to a low cross from the right to send a looping e effort over Earps wi with the help of a deflection off Steph Houghton.
Beth England sparked a late fightback, coming off the bench to head home skipper Houghton’s cross with 10 minutes left.
The Chelsea striker almost added to her first international goal but mistimed a late diving header, before fellow sub Lucy Staniforth was denied a stoppage-time leveller.
Brazil coach Pia Sundhage said: “It was a great result – England put us under a lot of pressure.”