England struggle against Algeria

England went to the break deadlocked 0-0 with Algeria in their must-win World Cup match on Friday, with both sides creating chances but neither able to convert.

Fabio Capello’s team, under pressure after their much-criticised 1-1 opener against the United States, struggled to find their rhythm and gave the ball away too easily before a decent spell leading up to half-time.

The big news ahead of the game was the axing of West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green after his blunder against the USA. David James took over and saw plenty of action.

Steven Gerrard was the first to trouble the Algerians with a cross-cum-shot that ‘keeper M’bohi Rais Ouheb, prefered to Faouzi Chaouchi after their 1-0 loss to Slovenia, had to jump high to collect.

James got into the game on 11 minutes when he punched clear a looping cross on his goal line, not entirely convincingly but good enough to avert the danger.

Some of the players were nervy and the heart of Jamie Carragher, playing in place of the injured Ledley King, would have been pumping even harder after his fluffed clearance had to be stopped by James.

England couldn’t really get going and Algeria was seeing plenty of the ball. It was clear that Capello, celebrating his 64th birthday, was none too pleased, pacing the dugout with an angry look on his face.

James was tested again when his Portsmouth teammate Nadir Belhadj whipped in a corner under the England bar, claiming it impressively this time under pressure from two Algerians.

England finally started to wake up and Gerrard got a shot on target near the half-hour mark before Frank Lampard had their best chance of the game, collecting the ball in the box after some nice build-up play.

He unleashed a left-footed drive but the keeper parried it away.

But it was clear what the England fans thought — boos as they left the pitch.