England ease to Estonia win
Scotland avoid embarrassment
Shepherd agrees to sell Magpies
England win their must-win game 3-0 on their first-ever visit to Estonia. Anything less than three points against a team that has yet to score in the qualifying campaign would have left their Euro 2008 hopes in disarray. But Steve McClaren’s charges heed his plea for patience and, following Joe Cole’s opener on 37 minutes, eventually run-out as comfortable winners. The recalled David Beckham once again produces an inspirational performance, especially with superb pin-point crosses supplying the second-half goals for Peter Crouch and Michael Owen. While Beckham still has two vital games for Real Madrid, it’s the end of the season for his England colleagues. That’s frustrating for Owen who, having missed almost all of the last year through injury, scores his first goal since last June’s pre-World Cup friendly against Jamaica so must wish the season was just starting. Steve McClaren can now look to the future with more confidence, if only because defeat tonight would almost certainly have ended his short tenure. Instead, the England coach looks ahead with hope:
“We have five games left and four of them are at Wembley. We’ve already shown that Wembley can be a fortress. We have looked a team over the last few performances. It’s in our hands. If we win our games we’ll qualify.”
Although England stay in fourth place, they close the gap on Group E’s rivals Croatia and Russia who drew 0-0 in Zagreb. Croatia lead the group with 17 points with England are three points behind. Israel are second after a 2-0 win in Andorra.
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With the memory of being held in previous encounters, there’s no such embarrassment for Scotland this time as they come back from the Faroe Islands with a workmanlike 2-0 victory. First-half goals from Shaun Maloney and Garry O’Connor keep the Scots within a win of Group B’s top two. France beat Georgia 1-0 while Italy win 2-0 in Lithuania.
Mike Ashley is set to take control of Newcastle United. Chairman Freddy Shepherd agrees to sell his 28% stake in the club which means the billionaire businessman now has about 70% of the shares. He needs 75% to launch a full takeover
Last month he bought 41.6% of the club’s shares from Sir John Hall’s family. Shepherd, who is likely to stay at St James’ Park in some capacity, believes Ashley’s company will be ‘excellent custodians of Newcastle United’s heritage’.
Michael Owen’s 23rd goal in ‘competitive’ internationals beat the previous all-time England record previously held by Gary Lineker.
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