Green Gaff Ruins Good Start.

A terrible mistake from West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green ruined England’s great start to the World Cup in Rustenberg on Saturday evening.

Green lets Dempsey’s shot trickle past him to gift the USA an equaliser.

With the Nation beginning to sense a rare winning start to a tournament Green somehow managed to palm a weak shot from Fulham’s Clint Dempsey into his own net just before the break and England had once failed to win their opening match.

After weeks of speculation Fabio Capello’s team selection saw Green get the nod in goal ahead of Portsmouth’s David James while Ledley King replaced injured skipper Rio Ferdinand at the heart of the defence.

Elsewhere James Milner started on the left hand side of midfield, despite missing three days of training with a fever, while the absence of Gareth Barry saw Frank Lampard and captain Gerrard start alongside each other in the centre with Aaron Lennon on the right. Meanwhile Emile Heskey was selected to partner Wayne Rooney up front as expected.

After all the pre tournament hype England got off to a flying start as a lovely touch from Heskey released Gerrard inside four minutes and the Liverpool man coolly beat USA keeper Tim Howard from 10 yards.

Gerrard gave England the perfect start.

The Three Lions were well on top at this stage but they failed to capitalise on their good start and allowed the USA to get back into the match as half time approached.

The first sign that all was not well was when Milner, who had struggled with the pace of Landon Donovan from the start, was replaced by Wright-Phillips within half an hour and this was compounded by Green’s mistake soon after.

Milner struggled after illness and was hauled off inside half an hour.

England’s problems mounted when King failed to reappear for the second half so Jamie Carragher was thrown into the fray but the match became a bit of a stalemate.

Yes England had chances, particularly towards the end as Rooney finally shook off the shackles of De Merit, but in the end things could have even worse. Josy Altidore outpaced the rather flat footed Carragher and looked set to give the USA the lead but Green made amends for his earlier howler with a fine save at his near post and the points were shared.

So in the end it was not the start England were hoping for and there were more questions then answers for Capello ahead of the match with Algeria this Friday. With Gareth Barry fit again he looks set to start, possibly in place of Milner, while Joe Cole could also be given a chance ahead of Lennon.

Will Joe Cole be allowed to shine on Friday.

But whoever starts on Friday the Nation will be hoping for a better performance and a better result…