- goal scored by Alexia Putellas
-
goal scored by
- Alexia Putellas
Phil's frustration
Lionesses boss Phil Neville shares his thoughts on the result against Spain and his positives from the tournament
England Women’s boss Phil Neville couldn’t hide his frustration at his team’s final game in the SheBelieves Cup, but also takes a number of positives back from the tournament.
The Lionesses slipped to defeat against Spain in their final match, which left Neville disappointed following his side’s victory over Japan earlier this week.
But with a fresh-looking squad for the competition, the head coach was happy with some of the performances of his younger players.
“I’m frustrated and a bit angry because it’s not good enough,” he admitted.
“But I’ve got to give credit to the two young kids that came on because Alessia Russo and Chloe Kelly were sensational and they changed the game.
“They played without fear, no ego and total humility, and that was the biggest positive from the second half but apart from that, it was nowhere near good enough.”
As England return home from the States, Neville admits that while the results haven’t been what he hoped for as the Lionesses looked to defend a title they won last year, the trip will have been a good experience as a whole for his group.
“There’s been some massive plus-points, Carly Telford has been sensational and I think Nikita Parris is getting back to her best,” he said.
“Ultimately though, we will be judged by our results and I’m not going to hide behind the fact that we wanted to experiment at this tournament – I take full responsibility for the results.
“The questions should now be asked because I expect better.
“I will always look at myself so I will go away and do that and then we will go from there.”
2018 Women's World Cup
Lionesses lose out
England's final game at the SheBelieves Cup ended in defeat as they were beaten 1-0 by Spain
England were undone by a set piece goal as they were beaten 1-0 by Spain in their third and final SheBelieves Cup game.
It was a tale of two halves in Texas and Phil Neville’s side had numerous chances to get their noses in front before the break.
But the Spaniards grew into the game during the second half and eventually got the breakthrough with ten minutes left as Alexia Putellas rifled a header home from a corner.
Nikita Parris provided England’s first real piece of quality in the game with a jinking run down the right wing and then into the box but couldn’t pick out a team-mate.
Ellen White, who scored twice last time the two teams faced each other, was then played in by skipper for the night Jill Scott but blasted her effort over the bar.
Neville’s side were creating all of the chances early on and very nearly got the ball over the line when Jordan Nobbs whipped a wicked ball into the penalty area but neither White or Parris could apply the finishing touch.
La Roja started the second half much brighter and caught England in possession on the hour mark as Carly Telford was forced into a brave save from left-back Ainhoa Moraza.
Chloe Kelly made her third appearance off the bench at the competition and almost made an immediate impact as she found some space in the box but dragged her shot wide.
Neville then handed a first international appearance to Alessia Russo but it was all happening at the other end and Telford was called upon again to keep her side out of trouble.
Moments later the killer blow arrived as a corner found the head of the unmarked Putellas, who rifled a bullet-header into the back of the net.
And the final chance of the game fell to Parris to stab home a late equaliser but the former Manchester City forward couldn’t direct her effort on goal.
England: 1 Carly Telford, 2 Rachel Daly, 6 Millie Bright, 15 Abbie McManus, 3 Alex Greenwood, 8 Jill Scott ©, 14 Leah Williamson, 10 Jordan Nobbs, 7 Nikita Parris, 11 Toni Duggan, 18 Ellen White
Substitutes: 5 Steph Houghton for Bright 45, 16 Georgia Stanway for Nobbs 62, 22 Chloe Kelly for White 70, 19 Alessia Russo for Duggan 76
Substitutes not used: 13 Ellie Roebuck, 21 Sandy MacIver, 4 Keira Walsh, 12 Demi Stokes, 17 Lucy Staniforth, 23 Grace Fisk
Head coach: Phil Neville
