World Cup - England 0 Nigeria 0

England turned defensive after being outplayed in the first half to protect the point that sent them through to the second stage.

Nigeria dominated the first session but their ambition drifted away as the game wore on with England failing at any time to take the initiative.

At times England play as if they are an accident waiting to happen and persisting with the ponderous Emile Heskey sets a poor tone for the rest of the side.

Heskey was replaced by veteran Teddy Sheringham and he skied a chance from close range after an Ashley Cole cross from the left was touched through by Michael Owen.

They were reduced to switching to 4-5-1 to try and protect the precious point with 15 minutes to go after Michael Owen was replaced by Darius Vassell.

A fluke cross by Ashley Cole from the left hit the cross bar in the 80th minute as the game wound down to stalemate with both sides struggling to do any convincing attacking in the second half.

England offered little in the first half either as they started this vital match by letting Nigeria’s passing game dominate.

Free of the burden of World Cup progress Nigeria saw captain Agustin Okocha display his full range of passing to weave their way through an England team full of spaces. Nigeria hit 65% of possession at the end of the first half for the highest keep-ball score of the World Cup so far.

England were nervous and facing a side exposing all their flaws in technique at holding the ball and passing.

Julius Aghahowa was able to run clear of the defence but the first clear shot came from Emile Heskey who forced a save from teenage goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama at his near post after a ball in from Danny Mills.

Such was Okocha’s domination that David Beckham moved into central midfield with mixed results as the European side suffered with a real tempo problem. At the slow pace in the afternoon heat Nigeria were able to dictatethe pace of the game and defend comfortably.

David Seaman dropped an Okocha free kick from the left at the feet of Aghahowa but he stabbed the ball wide with little time to react properly to the 31st minute chance.

Michael Owen ran past two defenders to shoot on target but his chance was deflected by Isaac Okoronkwo although no corner was given.

Enyeama did well in the 44th minute to tip a curling shot from Paul Scholes onto his post as England’s best chance came close to a goal.

England got what they wanted in the end but they were poor in the first half and out of ides after the break.

David Beckham is getting fitter by the game but England now need big games from Michael Owen – anonymous so far at the finals – and a solution to the ongoing Heskey problem to make any impression in the knockout matches.

England can take some solace form their liking for the more direct knockout style of play but they need a big improvement soon.