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By Harry Pratt
AFTER the depressing dejection of the warm-up games, compounded by the disgraceful however inevitable scenes on the Marseille streets during the previous 48 hours, England's new SAS of Alan Shearer and Paul Scholes produced the ideal remedy to raise the public's spirits back home. Admittedly, victory over Tunisia will never rectify the shameful violence that was beamed to the world, but at least the result will do wonders for England's football rating in these finals.
Even ignoring the hooligan issue of the past weekend, the team's reputation had been battered black and blue in recent weeks courtesy of turgid displays against Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Belgium, allied to lurid tales of players enjoying late-night drinking sessions. Indeed, only the most partisan had managed to remain optimistic about England's chances with the axeing of Paul Gascoigne the contentious crux of the matter. Yesterday, we were given the best possible answer to the question of whether England could survive without his creativity, even if a further six similar responses are required over the next month. Captain Shearer and Scholes, the very man charged with filling Gazza's boots, scored at the end of each half the second an absolute peach from the Manchester United playmaker.
The display should have silenced Glenn Hoddle's critics - me included and served notice to our World Cup rivals that while the SAS might have a new look, it is every bit as effective as in Euro 96. Two summers ago, it was Shearer and Teddy Sheringham doing the business and while the latter is in the starting line-up despite a two-night bender in Portugal a fortnight ago, it was his red-headed Old Trafford teammate Scholes who was the skipper's main attacking ally against the North Africans. He should have had a hat-trick, but hopefully the goal he did score will have filled him with confidence ahead of the much more taxing tie with Romania next Monday.
Any team with serious intentions of conquering the world needs a cold-eyed finisher, a man who can step up when the moment arrives. And Shearer showed once more that he can do the business at any level, against any opposition, when it matters with a header three minutes before the break. He timed his jump perfectly, with the certainty of a natural-born scorer to steer in Graeme Le Saux's delivery. It was the Newcastle star's 19th goal in 39 England appearances and proved beyond doubt that the Euro 96 touch which helped him finish that tournament as top scorer is back again - the very cutting edge Hoddle insists will make all the difference when the going gets even tougher.
Only the acrobatics of goalkeeper Chokri El Ouaer kept England on edge for the rest of the game although, thankfully, the nerves were eased by appalling approach play in the final third from a Tunisian side who recently put four past Wales. Such is the futility of reading too much into pre-tournament form. Fittingly, Scholes had the final word, atoning for two far easier misses early in the game a point-blank header and a close-range near-post sitter - with a brilliant curling effort from 20 yards in the final minute. Gascoigne would have been proud of the execution. The excellent Paul Ince had surged forward to find his ex-Old Trafford teammate on the edge of the box. Scholes, having decided against a return ball, justified his decision by striking an unstoppable shot into the top corner his fourth international goal.
It was no more than England deserved and the long-suffering people, so ashamed to be associated with the travelling lager louts that follow the team abroad, could smile for a while. Shearer, Scholes, Ince, Sol Campbell and Le Saux were the pick of an excellent display and demonstrated that the nation that invented football and spread the word around the globe has the ability to instil fear into opponents for all the right reasons.
Hoddle's decision to drop David Beckham unless the player was injured - and leave Michael Owen on the bench could not be faulted as his team showed a mastery not reflected in the final score. Overall, just what the doctor ordered. The coach had set himself up for a mighty fall with his selection, especially the decision to opt for Darren Anderton ahead of Beckham, who had played in every World Cup qualifier. Opting for Sheringham ahead of the dash and promise of Owen as Shearer's partner was more understandable, even if annoying for the purist. Hoddle had warned that the North Africans might be dangerous early on, and he was proved right in the fourth minute when it needed a block by the outstanding Campbell to foil Skander Souayah the last serious threat directed at David Seaman's goal.
Sheringham started up the field. Scholes, so clever, so penetrative, was operating deeper. Anderton worked hard up and down the right and Shearer survived a constant battering from captain Sami Trabelsi that angered Hoddle. However, while the Tunisians began the most blatant of time-wasting operations ridiculously early on, England were content to wait patiently. And it worked very nicely.
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ENGLAND PLAYER RATINGS
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DAVID SEAMAN (7): A virtual spectator for most of the match but did what little he had to do competently. Quick off his line when he needed to help out his defence and looked calm and confident. Kept concentration well despite no serious saves.
SOL CAMPBELL (7): Made a couple of brilliant surging runs early on and some vital tackles when needed but was unnecessarily yellow carded late on. Strong in the tackle and managed to stand up when tempted to slide in from the back.
TONY ADAMS (7): Partly at fault for Tunisia's early chance and given one or two anxious moments by Adel Sellimi. managed not to get caught out in the penalty area and recovered well when nutmegged cleverly in the second half. Marshalled his defence well and could have scored himself.
GARETH SOUTHGATE (7): Given little opportunity to shine, although he found Darren Anderton with a good ball in the second half. Steady if unspectacular and will be busier in England's next two games. Looked keen to bring the ball out from the back but a lack of movement from the front players restricted his outlets.
GRAEME LE SAUX (8): Swung in some fine crosses from the left flank and took the free kick from which Alan Shearer scored. Always lively and looking to get forward. Stupidly patted Tunisian striker on the face early on which could have been disastrous.
DARREN ANDERTON (7): Went a long way to justifying his selection ahead of David Beckham with a bright performance particularly in the first half. Came close with an uncharacteristic header and tackled back well when needed. Crosses and corners weren't up to his usual standard but Beckham will do well to win his place back now.
PAUL INCE (7): Ran the midfield and tried to get forward whenever he could. Hard working, tough tackling performance, never allowed the Tunisians to settle on the ball. Kept his cool when fouled, used the ball intelligently and fired a couple of characteristic shots high and wide.
DAVID BATTY (6): Busied himself in the middle of the park and helped keep England ticking over. Kept his passing game simple and effective and was disciplined in the tackle after curbing his naturally more aggresive game.
PAUL SCHOLES (9): Goal in the final minute was just reward for a highly impressive performance. Set off on some great runs and took up good positions even if he didn't always connect with the final pass. Unlucky not to score three. Hit the sun block in a big way
TEDDY SHERINGHAM (6): Almost scored with a terrific first-half volley but didn't link the play as well as expected. Could have set Adams up with a better pass. Not one of his best England games and was taken off late on for Owen to great applause from the fans.
ALAN SHEARER (8): Looked the world-class talent he is and took his goal as clinically as ever. Poorly protected by the referee which hampered his game somewhat. Dragged to the floor time and time again by Tunisian skipper but rose brilliantly to head England's first.
MICHAEL OWEN (sub, for Sheringham) (6): Tried to run at the Tunisian defence during his five-minute spell at the end but wasn't involved too much. Should get another chance, possibly from the start against Romania.
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