Spirited England go down to Italy

Gattuso's wonder strike from distance was the difference between the teams, as Italy secured a 1-0 win over England, but Taylor's young team felt hard done by with a possible penalty shoutagainst the same player moments earlier.

New England captain David Beckham was challenged for a high ball in the Italian area from behind by Gattuso, but referee Sandor Puhl saw nothing wrong. Gattuso then reacted angrily to Beckham, looking to raise an arm in anger.

Moments later, Gattuso found himself 30 yards from goal, from where he let fly, the ball ricocheting off the crossbar and into David James' goal.

Italy had more of the creative play in the first half, with England restricted to just two real goal attempts - a strong shot over the bar from Emile Heskey, and a David Beckham strike that Buffon almost made a meal of in the Italian goal.

But Gary Neville, Gareth Southgate and Rio Ferdinand defended well as a unit, and David James had only relatively comfortable saves to make.

Heskey caused the experienced Italian defence a number of problems with his pace and strength, but lacked support from the midfield, which was depleted early on following an injury to Nicky Butt. He was replaced by Jamie Carragher.

David Beckham had a lot of possession in the centre of midfield, but found it hard to carve out chances against the strong Italian midfield and defence.

With the sides even at half-time, both coaches stuck with their starting elevens. However, Trappatoni soon made changes, introducing di Biaggio and Zenoni.

However, the sides remained fairly well matched, until Gattuso - formerly of Glasgow Rangers, and now with AC Milan - took centre stage.

England had another penalty call turned down when Emile Heskey, shielding the ball in the Italian area, looked to have been pulled down by Nesta.

The match finished in a torrential downpour, with a large number of substitutions on both sides having disrupted the rhythm of the game.

Seth Johnson, on as a substitute, very nearly scored with his first touch, Buffon just touching away his snap shot.

But it was not to be for England's young hopefuls, who will have given both Taylor and watching Head Coach in waiting Sven-Goran Eriksson plenty of food for thought.

David Beckham reflected afterwards on his first game as captain: "It is one of the best feelings I'veeven had coming out of the tunnel.

"I thought we played somegood football, but we can take some good things from the game and we can learnfrom that."

Head Coach Peter Taylor said: "I thought it was an excellent performance. We worked hard, were very solid at the back and did create somechances.

"I told the players that we've had a good three days, and we should have got something out of the game. But it was a good performance and that's the important thing.

"David Beckham has enjoyed his first game as England captain, and some of the things he did were superb."

Italy: Buffon, Cannavaro, Nesta (Adani), Maldini (Bertotto), Di Livio (Di Biagio), Albertini (Zenoni), Guttuso, Coco, Fiore, F Inzaghi (Del Piero), Delvecchio (S Inzaghi)

England: James, G Neville, Barry (Johnson), Butt (Carragher), Ferdinand, Southgate, Beckham, Parlour (Anderton), Heskey (Phillips), Barmby, Dyer (Fowler)

Referee: Sandor Puhl (Hungary)
Attendance: 22,714