England 3 Egypt 1

The international friendly between England and Egypt at Wembley Stadium, London on Wednesday March 3, 2010.

The children of Rameses threatened to embarrass the inheritors of Ramsey’s tradition until Fabio Capello’s half-time talking-to shook England up. A better tempo and the arrival of Peter Crouch, a proper target-man to work alongside Wayne Rooney, transformed this friendly.

After four weeks of negatives, Capello finally had a few positives to savour. John Terry looked more like his old self, Rooney and Steven Gerrard were typically purposeful while Capello’s second-half subs proved inspired.

Crouch, whose brace took his tally to 20 in 37 internationals, and Shaun Wright-Phillips struck as England responded to Capello’s exhortation to press higher up the pitch and attack more.

Bad memories remain of a first half dominated by Egypt, particularly through Mohamed Zidan, who scored a fine goal. Theo Walcott and Jermain Defoe failed their auditions while the 4-4-2 system did not seem to bring the best out of Gerrard. England remain a work in progress and they have only three hours of playing time, the May friendlies with Mexico and Japan, before the World Cup starts.

Expected to play 4-2-3-1 at the World Cup, Capello had assessed 4-4-2, a system that England struggled with until Crouch’s arrival for Defoe at the back. The first half had been largely an exercise in disappointment. Walcott had started well on the right, running on to Rooney’s clever pass and cutting the ball back to Frank Lampard, whose left-footed strike was straight at Essam El Hadary. For an international of Lampard’s calibre, for such a prolific raider from midfield, this was a badly wasted chance. But Walcott then faded, squandering the opportunity to shine in the absence of the injured Aaron Lennon.

Barring Rooney, Gerrard and Terry, few of Capello’s players shone in the opening period as England were swamped by the well-organised champions of Africa. Capello’s 4-4-2 approach required Gerrard to move inside from the left to assist against Egypt’s extra man.

England’s captain soon began roaming all over the midfield, scheming intelligently, at one point lifting a sublime pass through to Rooney, but his movement from his starting station inevitably meant Leighton Baines was exposed. Gareth Barry swiftly recognised the problem and sprinted wide to protect the Everton left-back. Baines endured an awkward opening, and little was seen of his attacking capabilities.

Unlike Egypt. The visitors always exuded confidence in their 3-5-2 system, always looked a threat when they broke at speed, particularly when the ball was in the clever sway of the electric Zidan. The Borussia Dortmund striker, whose movement totally bemused England, found the mark after 23 minutes, helped by the poor pitch which proved treacherous terrain for poor Matthew Upson.

Attempting to clear Hosny Abdrabou’s driven through-ball, the West Ham centre-half slipped. Suddenly, Zidan had the goal at his mercy. Such a good player was never going to spurn such an enticing opportunity. His first touch teed the ball up beautifully. With his second, Zidan elegantly placed his shot past Robert Green. Every touch, every piece of Zidan’s body language spoke of a player utterly confident in his ability and completely convinced that he would score.

The whole Egyptian team then dropped to their knees and kissed the turf, showing their faith and perhaps some thanks to the surface.

England needed some divine inspiration. Their system wasn’t working, particularly with Baines and the highly disappointing Wes Brown failing to give the team any width. Gerrard and Rooney combined well at times, making it all the more confusing that Capello did not consider starting them in tandem through the middle. Capello, though, is adamant that he will not field Rooney and Gerrard in their club positions.

Capello’s chosen attacking axis of Rooney and Defoe was a failure.

Capello’s use of Defoe was particularly perplexing. The Italian had said his preferred front-line would be “one big forward, one small forward’’. Rooney is 5ft 10 and Defoe 5ft 6in, neither a citizen of the land of the giants.

Typically decisive, Capello hooked Defoe at the break, introducing Crouch to such good effect.

Before then, though, Rooney begun to get frustrated, screaming at England’s defence, even having a worrying late tackle on an opponent. This was deeply disappointing fare from England, almost football from the dark ages of the Steve McClaren era as the first half faded to gray. They did create a few chances, Lampard shooting over and the excellent El Hadary saving from Defoe and Terry.

If there was one positive from the first half it was Terry settling after a nervy start, receiving a few jeers until he seemed to re-find his belief with a neat interception to steer the ball away from Zidan. His confidence growing as the section containing England’s most passionate support began singing his name, Terry enjoyed an assertive game.

England’s collective mood improved when Crouch made his mark, taking his 56th-minute chance expertly. Gerrard started the move, stroking the ball down the inside-right channel for Barry. The Manchester City midfielder’s first-time cross was perfectly judged, picking out Crouch, who swept the ball past El Hadary.

Terry continued to impress, covering across to dispossess Zidan and then blocking a drive from Ahmed Fathy. Terry almost lost possession after 72 minutes and was then truly alarmed by the substitute, Mohamed Nagy, who beat him for pace and then skill.

Moments later, the armband changed hands, Gerrard presenting it to Rooney as the Liverpool midfielder was replaced by Milner. The Villa player was immediately involved, bringing his zest and inventiveness to proceedings. Running down the inside-left corridor, Milner slipped the ball wide to Baines. At last in an advanced position, Baines whipped in a cross which was deflected out to Milner. Catching the ball beautifully, Milner despatched a fierce left-foot volley towards which El Hadary repelled with a punched clearance. Wright-Phillips chested the ball down and sent it serving back towards to El Hadary, who was beaten by its movement.

Capello’s subs were enjoying themselves, Wright-Phillips the poacher turning goalmaker with 10 minutes remaining. The City flier’s cross was met by Crouch, whose offside position went unnoticed by the Paraguayan referee.

Not one to turn down such largesse, Crouch fired the ball unerringly past El Hadary.