White ends barren run as Lionesses edge past Japan
The future may well belong to Bethany England but this remains Ellen White’s time as England’s World Cup heroine came off the bench to give them a much-needed win over Japan.
White insists her life has not changed since scoring the goals that took England to the semi-finals in France last summer and thankfully neither has her trademark “goggle” celebration.
It has just been a while since we have seen it, this being her first goal since November, and she has been outscored at club level by England in the Women’s Super League.
When you turn 30 in football, as White did last May, there is always a clamour for younger players to be given a chance. The search for an heir always begins when the queen still sits on her throne, which can make things awkward.
“I actually think there has been a bit of disrespect towards Ellen in terms of her performance, in terms of her stature,” manager Phil Neville said. “Today showed what Ellen White is all about; one chance, one goal.”
If it has been uncomfortable for White to have England join her in the squad, it has not shown in her demeanour or words. She is too nice for that and this was a reminder of her class – that clinical, cold finishing earning her a huge cheer from the Americans in the crowd when she came on.
As for England, she did not get the headlines she wanted. England did not win it for England, but she was at the heart of most of the good things the team did, particularly in the first half. What she did not do – and this is how strikers are always judged in the end – is take her chances. It should not distract from a fine first start for the Chelsea striker though.
“I thought she was fantastic apart from the goal, it was only the goal missing,” Neville added. “I still think at this moment in time Ellen just has that experience of playing at the top level, and that just puts her slightly in front.” England is strong and direct, but also agile and quick. Comparisons in women’s football are not generally welcome, but her style of play does remind you a little of a young Alan Shearer – the mobile, dynamic Blackburn Rovers model rather than the wily old target man he became at Newcastle United.
It is just a shame England could not get a goal, hitting one effort after she had been picked out by a great pass from Chloe Kelly, a little too close to goalkeeper Sakiko Ikeda. The second opening she made herself, drilling a shot towards the far corner, only for Ikeda to make an excellent save.
It was not just England who shone. Lauren Hemp