Roy reviews England's top 10 goals in qualifying

Wednesday 27 Nov 2013
Roy Hodgson congratulates Andros Townsend after his debut goal

With England’s place at the 2014 World Cup secured, manager Roy Hodgson is now looking ahead to next week’s draw for the Finals.

The Three Lions remained unbeaten on the road to Brazil finishing top of Group H as they scored 31 goals and conceded just four.

Among those netted by Hodgson’s men were strikes of both quality and importance.

So to look back on the successful qualification campaign, we selected what we think were the best 10 goals and asked Roy to review them and pick his favourite.

Andros Townsend Roy Hodgson

Roy Hodgson congratulates Andros Townsend

 

He was clear on his favourite, but also highlighted two strikes in their final Group H encounter that were vital as England reached the promised land of Brazil.

“My favourite, if we're talking about the quality of the strike - and there were some very good ones - was Townsend's goal, [it] was extremely important against Montenegro,” Hodgson told TheFA.com.

“There was their goal at 2-1 that suddenly gave Montenegro a bit of hope but we quickly quelled it with that wonderful third goal and finished them off with the penalty.”

He added: “But the other goals were the two Poland goals, because they were so important.

 

“Townsend's goal was extremely important ”

Roy Hodgson England Manager

 

 

“Baines's cross and Wayne's header, which was beautifully exectued. It's simplicity; a good cross, good leap, good header well-placed.

“And of course Steven's goal, that late in the game to finish Poland off, made certain that we'll be in Brazil, which is where we always wanted to be.”

But, do you agree?

You can place your vote at the bottom of the page and we’ll announce the winner in December.

Here’s what the manager had to say as he looked back with FATV at the whole Top 10.

Goal 1: Rooney v San Marino (h)
Roy says: “It was such an important goal because it got us off the mark after a long period of domination. A goalscorer's goal.”

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in action for England against San Marino.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain grabbed one in San Marino

 

Goal 2: Welbeck v San Marino (h)
Roy says: “A very good finish from Danny, a very clever back-heel”

Goal 3: Oxlade-Chamberlain v San Marino (a) 
Roy says: “There was some good combination play there to set up Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who showed a lot of composure with the finish as well. It's nice to see people able to slalom their way into the penalty area like that.”

Goal 4: Ashley Young v San Marino (a) 
Roy says: "That's Ashley's wonder-strike playing away from home. A marvellous goal."

Goal 5: Rooney v San Marino (a)
Roy says: "Wayne doing what he's done so often this season, scoring excellent free-kicks over the wall."

Goal 6: Steven Gerrard v Moldova (h) 
Roy says: "Again we had dominated up to that stage and created chances but had not been able to score. But Steven's strike from outside the box was perfectly struck."

Steven Gerrard scores England

Steven Gerrard celebrates reaching Brazil

 

Goal 7: Welbeck v Moldova (h)
Roy says: "That was a very good run by Danny Welbeck and a very clever finish. Nice work and well picked out by Rickie Lambert and nicely controlled past the goalkeeper, but most of all a very positive run."

Goal 8: Townsend v Montenegro (h)
Roy says: "This, of course, was Andros's debut goal brilliantly struck. We were pleased with that one because we had unfortunately conceded a goal."

Goal 9: Rooney v Poland (h)
Roy says: "That was vitally important. A lovely cross beautifully finished, Leighton Baines and Wayne Rooney combining."

Goal 10: Gerrard v Poland (h) 
Roy says: "This was the goal the put us into Brazil and that really was a question of Steve's determination, his guts, his desire. We all know about the quality in his technique, but hat really is a captain's goal."

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By Jamie Bradbury FA Editor