England against Greece

It's been a somewhat fragmented 15-minute spell for England with the substitutions taking thier toll. Just for good measure Wayne Bridge replaces Cole at left-back.

Lennon starts to show some of the promise he displayed in Germany. His trickery almost creates a chance for Frank Lampard.

Jamie Carragher comes on for Gary Neville and Steven Gerrard makes way for the highest-scoring Englishman in the Premiership last season - Darren Bent.

For all their dominance in the first half, England have hardly had a shot on the opposition goal this half. They may be 4-0 up but their intensity has petered out.

England deal with the latest corner better. Lampard takes charge and makes a decent clearance.

Charisteas tries his luck from distance. With no real pace or venom on the shot Kirkland can fall on the ball and gather easily.

England haven't dealt with corners at all well. Another chance for Amanatidis almost embarrases John Terry's defence.

It looks like England have switched to a 4-3-3 to accommodate the substitutes. Crouch will spearhead the attack with Lennon and Richardson flanking him.

It's time for McClaren to make another substituton. Two in fact. Kieron Richardson comes on for Defoe and Aaron Lennon replaces Stewart Downing.

Greece have now made all their six substitutions and Vintra is writhing around in agony. He'll play on through the pain though.

He's offside again. Defoe just can't seem to time his runs right tonight. Frank Lampard is constantly looking to play in the speedy forward.

An hour gone and Defoe is still searching for the goal he craves. He may be fortunate to start after Dean Ashton's injury, but his confidence and spirit would have caught McClaren's eye.

There's no doubt which England keeper has had the most work to do. It's the Liverpool stopper Kirkland who has had his gloves peppered more. Robinson barely had to lift a finger in the first half.

The game has opened up. With the pressure off, the Greeks come forward with more freedom and zest than in the entire first half.

Greece are trying to make a game of it. Dellas brings two goal-line clearances from Ashley Cole. A remarkable double-block from the Arsenal left-back.

At last, a shot from the visitors! Amanathidis cracks one striaght at Kirkland and the Liverpool keeper does well to tip it over.

The Greeks are running into cul-de-sacs at the moment. They need to find a spark from somewhere before England run up a cricket score.

John Terry is having an immense performance. He said that he wanted to throw himself into every challenge, well that's exactly what he's done tonight.

The half is three minutes old but McClaren has yet to re-appear. Oh, here he comes, and what an ovation he gets from the loyal supporters.

The second half is underway and Steve McClaren has resisted the temptation to make wholesale changes. Only the one change in the England goal.

The second half is about to start and Chris Kirkland's dad is a happy man. His son is coming on which means Eddie will net £10,000 after a bet he made in 1997 that Chris would feature for England before he turned 30.

HALF TIME: ENGLAND 4-0 GREECE England can do no wrong and enjoy an impressive first 45 minutes. Steve McClaren must think this England manager business is a breeze. Mind you, the Greek defence resemble a pub team so far not European Champions.

It's a rout! Another England attack and another goal. It's Crouch's second and England's fourth. Downing's crisp left-foot cross is the kind of delivery the big man dreams of. He doesn't disappoint and plants his header in the top corner.

GOAL: ENGLAND 4-0 GREECE

Owen Hargeaves picks up from where he left off in the World Cup. He's like a terrier in midfield, chasing down every pass and run. Sir Alex Ferguson looks on with interest.

Another quick counter for England and the home side have the freedom of Old Trafford. Gerrard's cross almost finds Crouch, but the big man can't get down in time to divert his pass home.

Defoe is so keen to get his name on the scoresheet. And up against this defence, anything is possible. It's hard to imagine how they lifted the European Championships in 2004.

England are making it look easy! 10 minutes before the break an unmarked Peter Crouch is on hand to stab home from five yards. Frank Lampard should have his second but Crouch finishes the job after the Chelsea man fluffed his effort.

GOAL: ENGLAND 3-0 GREECE

England are linking up well with Downing looking to whip in deadly crosses from the left and Defoe busting a gut to get on the end of them.

The corner causes confusion in the Greek penalty area. The ball falls to Gary Neville who tries his luck from distance, only for Dellas to make a timely block.

Defoe forces a corner after a bright run down the right. He looks in the mood up front.

Lampard puts his World Cup form behind him and doubles England's lead. He can thank Antzas for it though. His shot takes a wicked deflection of the Greek centre-half and leaves the keeper stranded.

GOAL: ENGLAND 2-0 GREECE

Heartbreak for Greece midfielder Fyssas. He can't continue, Lagos comes on to replace him.

Ferdinand again comes forward. His endeavour spurs the others around him on and England look assured in posession.

A decent spell for Greece as England are pegged back inside their own half. But the final ball is woeful and there's precious little invention in the final third.

It may be pouring with rain in the North West of England, but it doesn't perturb the band that follow their national stars. It's a valiant effort to raise the spirits inside the stadium.

It's all England at the moment. Peter Crouch is being targeted with his aerial threat causing the Greek back line problems.

Someone in the England coaching staff must have told Rio Ferdinand to venture out of defence more. The Manchester United defender has twice rushed from deep to force an attack.

The Greek transfer window closes tomorrow. If any of these national heroes want a move to the Premiership, they'll have to show more spirit than they are at present.

Crouch could so easily have added to Terry's opener just minutes later, but his header from Gerrard's clever cross falls just the wrong side of the upright.

New skipper John Terry nods into an empty net after the Greek keeper's feeble clearance allows Defoe to find the Chelsea defender.

GOAL: England 1-0 Greece

The Greeks are in no rush to send players forward. Up until now they seem content holding posession in midfield.

Crouch, not the fastest footballer in the world fancies himself against Antzas in the Greek defence. The giant striker falls to the ground after a slight nudge - he'll have to think of another way round the nippy defender.

The atmosphere is flat to say the least. Gerrard tries to liven up proceedings with a drive from all of 30 yards, but his effort tumbles harmlessly past the post.

England have the first corner of the match. But Downing fails to beat the first man with a miserable cross.

The European champions haven't come here to make life easy on McClaren's honeymoon. They settle in well with some slick passing

We're under way. England (in red) kick off and will play left to right for the first period.

All eyes are on the two leaders Terry and Steve McClaren. Terry roars his way through the national anthemn as kick-off looms in England's new era.

John Terry leads England out for the first time as captain with the rain lashing down in Manchester. That may explain the vast number of empty seats at Old Trafford.

The teams are in. And after being left out of Sven-Goran Eriksson's World Cup squad, Jermain Defoe is back to lead the forward line with Peter Crouch. Steven Gerrard fills David Beckham's place on the right while the remaining positions are as expected.

Greece are trying to make a game of it. Dellas brings two goal-line clearances from Ashley Cole. A remarkable double-block from the Arsenal left-back.

At last, a shot from the visitors! Amanathidis cracks one striaght at Kirkland and the Liverpool keeper does well to tip it over.

The Greeks are running into cul-de-sacs at the moment. They need to find a spark from somewhere before England run up a cricket score.

John Terry is having an immense performance. He said that he wanted to throw himself into every challenge, well that's exactly what he's done tonight.

The half is three minutes old but McClaren has yet to re-appear. Oh, here he comes, and what an ovation he gets from the loyal supporters.

The second half is underway and Steve McClaren has resisted the temptation to make wholesale changes. Only the one change in the England goal.

The second half is about to start and Chris Kirkland's dad is a happy man. His son is coming on which means Eddie will net £10,000 after a bet he made in 1997 that Chris would feature for England before he turned 30.

HALF TIME: ENGLAND 4-0 GREECE England can do no wrong and enjoy an impressive first 45 minutes. Steve McClaren must think this England manager business is a breeze. Mind you, the Greek defence resemble a pub team so far not European Champions.

It's a rout! Another England attack and another goal. It's Crouch's second and England's fourth. Downing's crisp left-foot cross is the kind of delivery the big man dreams of. He doesn't disappoint and plants his header in the top corner.

GOAL: ENGLAND 4-0 GREECE

Owen Hargeaves picks up from where he left off in the World Cup. He's like a terrier in midfield, chasing down every pass and run. Sir Alex Ferguson looks on with interest.

Another quick counter for England and the home side have the freedom of Old Trafford. Gerrard's cross almost finds Crouch, but the big man can't get down in time to divert his pass home.

Defoe is so keen to get his name on the scoresheet. And up against this defence, anything is possible. It's hard to imagine how they lifted the European Championships in 2004.

England are making it look easy! 10 minutes before the break an unmarked Peter Crouch is on hand to stab home from five yards. Frank Lampard should have his second but Crouch finishes the job after the Chelsea man fluffed his effort.

GOAL: ENGLAND 3-0 GREECE

England are linking up well with Downing looking to whip in deadly crosses from the left and Defoe busting a gut to get on the end of them.

The corner causes confusion in the Greek penalty area. The ball falls to Gary Neville who tries his luck from distance, only for Dellas to make a timely block.

Defoe forces a corner after a bright run down the right. He looks in the mood up front.

Lampard puts his World Cup form behind him and doubles England's lead. He can thank Antzas for it though. His shot takes a wicked deflection of the Greek centre-half and leaves the keeper stranded.

GOAL: ENGLAND 2-0 GREECE

Heartbreak for Greece midfielder Fyssas. He can't continue, Lagos comes on to replace him.

Ferdinand again comes forward. His endeavour spurs the others around him on and England look assured in posession.

A decent spell for Greece as England are pegged back inside their own half. But the final ball is woeful and there's precious little invention in the final third.

It may be pouring with rain in the North West of England, but it doesn't perturb the band that follow their national stars. It's a valiant effort to raise the spirits inside the stadium.

It's all England at the moment. Peter Crouch is being targeted with his aerial threat causing the Greek back line problems.

Someone in the England coaching staff must have told Rio Ferdinand to venture out of defence more. The Manchester United defender has twice rushed from deep to force an attack.

The Greek transfer window closes tomorrow. If any of these national heroes want a move to the Premiership, they'll have to show more spirit than they are at present.

Crouch could so easily have added to Terry's opener just minutes later, but his header from Gerrard's clever cross falls just the wrong side of the upright.

New skipper John Terry nods into an empty net after the Greek keeper's feeble clearance allows Defoe to find the Chelsea defender.

GOAL: England 1-0 Greece

The Greeks are in no rush to send players forward. Up until now they seem content holding posession in midfield.

Crouch, not the fastest footballer in the world fancies himself against Antzas in the Greek defence. The giant striker falls to the ground after a slight nudge - he'll have to think of another way round the nippy defender.

The atmosphere is flat to say the least. Gerrard tries to liven up proceedings with a drive from all of 30 yards, but his effort tumbles harmlessly past the post.

England have the first corner of the match. But Downing fails to beat the first man with a miserable cross.

The European champions haven't come here to make life easy on McClaren's honeymoon. They settle in well with some slick passing

We're under way. England (in red) kick off and will play left to right for the first period.

All eyes are on the two leaders Terry and Steve McClaren. Terry roars his way through the national anthemn as kick-off looms in England's new era.

John Terry leads England out for the first time as captain with the rain lashing down in Manchester. That may explain the vast number of empty seats at Old Trafford.

The teams are in. And after being left out of Sven-Goran Eriksson's World Cup squad, Jermain Defoe is back to lead the forward line with Peter Crouch. Steven Gerrard fills David Beckham's place on the right while the remaining positions are as expected.