England

6-0

Jamaica

Lampard 11, Taylor 17og, Crouch 29, 65, 89, Owen 32

 

 


International Friendly
2pm, Saturday 03 June 2006
Old Trafford, Manchester United FC

Peter Crouch gave the nation a World Cup farewell party to remember as he scored a hat-trick in a six-goal jamboree against Jamaica.

The Reggae Boyz and their fantastic fans came to Old Trafford to party but it was Crouch, with his robotic finishing, who led the dance.

He entertained the crowd three times with his trademark celebration, while Frank Lampard, Michael Owen and an own goal from Jermaine Taylor completed the rout.

It could even have been four for Crouch, who missed a penalty won for him by Owen, but nothing was going to spoil this day for England.

It was the perfect way for the Three Lions to say goodbye to their delighted fans ahead of the World Cup Finals in Germany, and they will certainly fly to Baden Baden on Monday in tremendous spirits.

There was never any doubt that Sven’s men were going to complete their sixth victory in a row by seeing off Jamaica, especially when they took the lead after only 15 minutes.

A long kick from goalkeeper Paul Robinson arrowed its way up to Crouch on the left and his deft knock-down allowed Owen to acrobatically hook the ball back across goal for Lampard to guide home a first-time volley.

It was a superbly worked goal and it was soon 2-0 when Beckham’s fine free-kick was headed into his own net by Taylor.

Beckham then produced the 31st assist of his England career, in his 89th game, when he sent over a corner for Crouch to fire home.

The ball took a big deflection on the way as Omar Daley kicked it into his own net, but no-one was in a mood to deny Crouch his third goal in three games for England - especially when the crowd were so desperate to see that dance again.

Crouch, in fact, was in wonderful form, linking up well with Owen and showing an array of neat touches and lay-offs that confirmed his new status as England’s cult hero.

The icing on the cake for the Three Lions arrived before the break, however, with Owen scoring the goal he so desperately wanted after recovering from injury.

A long ball from Rio Ferdinand completely beat the Jamaica defence and Owen rounded keeper Donovan Ricketts before expertly turning the ball home for his 36th goal in an England shirt.

Jamaica knew they had been outplayed, but they didn’t make things easy for Sven’s in-form side.

Paul Robinson produced a stunning save to keep out Jason Euell at one point and the Reggae Boyz made a bright start before England took control.

The size of England’s advantage by the half-hour mark, though, allowed Eriksson to take off John Terry - who looked to be carrying a knock - and also replace Ashley Cole with Wayne Bridge.

Robinson then made way for David James at half-time as squad players were given valuable time on the pitch, with Michael Carrick, Aaron Lennon and Stewart Downing also making late appearances.

Joe Cole almost made it 5-0 for the Three Lions with a shot that fizzed just wide of the post and he went mightily close again when he latched onto a Crouch lay-off - only for Ricketts to produce a fine save after 65 minutes.

In the end, though, it was man of the moment Crouch who extended the victory margin in front of 70,373 fans at Old Trafford.

This time a superb reverse pass from Beckham set Carragher racing down the right flank, and his fiercely struck low cross was rapped home at the far post by the Anfield striker.

What a week it’s been for Crouch. Only a late missed penalty, which he chipped over the bar after Owen was fouled, brought him back down to earth.

But he still found time to sweep home England's sixth, superbly finishing off a move created by Downing's low cross and Owen's neat lay-off.

He was cheered to the rafters at the final whistle, as were the entire team. So now it’s on to Germany - and England couldn’t be going there in better shape.

England: Robinson (James 46), Carragher, A Cole (Bridge 33), Gerrard, Ferdinand, Terry (Campbell 35), Beckham (Lennon 66), Lampard (Carrick 66), Crouch, Owen, J Cole.

Substitutes: Neville, Dawson, Hargreaves, Jenas, Downing, Carson, Walcott, Defoe, Johnson, Foster.

Jamaica: Ricketts, Reid, Davis, Stewart, Daley, Hue (Johnson 85), Taylor (Crawford 46), Euell (Stephenson 78), Campbell-Ryce, Shelton (Burton 47), Fuller (Bennett 76).

Substitutes: Sawyers, Demar Stewart, Morrison, Kerr, Bennett.

Match Details
Referee: K Plautz (Austria)
Assistants: Egon Bereuter (Austria) Andreas Fellinger (Austria)
Fourth Official: Andre Marriner (England)

Attendance: 70, 373