Switzerland against England

My word, have England made heavy weather of this?

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>Goooooaaaaallllll! Finally, it's 3-1 to England! It's the substitute Bent!</b> Ashley Cole finally atones for his numerous second half errors by finding Bent in space on the edge of the box, who takes a touch and fires left footed beyond Benaglio at his near post.

Unbelievably poor play by Wright-Phillips! I'm talking really really awful. It's literally two against one for England as the substitute Wright-Phillips only has to find Bent with a square ball but his cross finds the one man it shouldn't, a Swiss.

Ashley Cole spurns a golden opportunity to find the waiting strikers in the box by rushing his cross from the left when he had time to sit down and read a newspaper before delivering. Instead, his cross is intercepted.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Costanzo for Schwegler (Switzerland)</b>

Is Ashley Cole on a mission to get sent off?! After play is brought back for offside against England, Cole blasts the ball over the bar and into the crowd.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Grichting (Switzerland) is booked for a foul.</b>

Good play by Wright-Phillips who scampers down the left and does well to beat Grichting, but his pass to Gerrard is poor and Johnson evetually shoots over from the edge of the box. Could have been more for England.

Somewhat surprisingly, Rooney is withdrawn.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Wright-Phillips for Rooney (England)</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Bent for Defoe (England)</b>

That was an utterly stupid yellow card for the experienced Cole and, luckily for him, the referee seemed to miss him throwing the ball away. Silly boy.

Frei whips in the resulting free kick from the right but Lescott defends it well with his head.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Ashley Cole (England) picks up a yellow for a lunge on Shaqiri. He's had that coming.</b>

Capello is still barking like a hound.

Surely England can't blow it, can they? They've been so far superior that it would be a travesty. But it's goals that count and England have just under 20 minutes to hold out.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>Gooooooaaaaaalllllll!!!! 2-1 England! It's Shaqiri!</b> Wow. Didn't see that coming. Absolutely fantastic strike from distance by the Swiss boy wonder. He skipped inside from the right before unleashing an unstoppable shot from some 25 yards into the top corner. Hart didn't have a chance.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>Gooooooaaaaaalllllll! 2-0 England! It's Adam Johnson for England.</b> Brilliant goal for England which should finish off the Swiss. Rooney, of course, plays in Gerrard who finds Adam Johnson with an inch perfect pass, who rounds the keeper and taps in. Great goal.

Lichtsteiner really is an idiot. Just when his team were looking menacing they are down to 10 men.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Streller for Degan (Switzerland) </b>

England players are vunerable to bookings themselves here as the Swiss crowd are whistling every decision against them. It's become a hostile atmosphere again and, dare I say, a very good game.

Lichtsteiner is rightly sent off after Adam Johnson's wonderful long pass finds Milner, who takes a heavy touch, but pokes it ahead of Lichtsteiner before the Swiss player can get there. The crowd are going nuts in protest.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/red_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Lichtsteiner (Switzerland) is sent off for a late foul on Milner.</b>

Dangerous moments for England as Switzerland sense an unlikely equaliser. Degan feels he is dragged down by his nemesis Ashley Cole in the box but nothing is given. Frei picks up the ball and his cross bounces around the England box like a pinball before Gerrard clears.

And now Joe Hart hits an unconvincing clearance directly out of play. "Are you Carson in disguise?" some may sing.

The ball momentarily squirms out of Joe Hart's arms but he gathers the second time.

Glen Johnson concedes a foul in a dangerous area for Switzerland.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Milner (England) is booked for a foul on Lichtsteiner</b>

Great effort by Glen Johnson from distance! He cuts inside and shoots with his left foot from distance and Benaglio turns it around the post.

The Swiss are just starting to get more possession and Capello is stood up in his technical area reminding his players that their work here is not done.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Lichtsteiner (Switzerland) booked for dissent.</b>

Steven Gerrard attempts a Hollywood pass, not for the first time tonight. Capello must tell him to repress the urge to do that. Indiscipline is England's downfall all too often.

The news coming in regarding Walcott's injury is that on first inspection, it's a sprained ankle. That's a relief for England.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2010/0907/theowalcottstretcheredoffvsui20100907_275x155.jpg"><b>Theo Walcott is stretchered off.</b>

Inler has a first meaningful effort of the game after his lob shot goes just over Joe Hart's goal. No real worry for England but a reminder that they only lead 1-0.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2010/0907/waynerooneyscoresvsui_275x155.jpg"> <b>Rooney scores for England.</b>

Ashley Cole wins a free kick off Degan, and Degan can't believe it. Quite a battle these two are having tonight.

Gerrard finds Adam Johnson brilliantly, who plays it out wide to Ashley Cole, who wins a corner. England picking up where they left off...

Johnson looked somewhat awkward and off-balance there. Half chance at best.

Rooney is already in the thick of it and clips a ball from the left side of the Swiss penalty box to Adam Johnson, who tries to volley it towards goal but his shot is wide of the near post.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Shaqiri on for Margairaz (Switzerland)</b>

<b>With England cruising, the second half is underway...</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2010/0907/waynerooneycelebvsui20100907_275x155.jpg"> <b>Rooney celebrates putting England 1-0 up in Basel.</b>

Incidentally, Montenegro (supposedly one of the weakest teams in England and Switzerland's group) have just beaten Bulgaria 1-0 away from home. So, with six points, they top Group G right now...

Join me in about 9 minutes for the second half. Remember, you can find me on Twitter at twitter.com/mjdasilva.

But Rooney has been the star of the show. Who would have thought it?

As an attacking force Switzerland have been non-existent, and generally very disappointing.

That was the most one-sided game of football I've seen for a long time. England are very, very comfortable.

<b>That's half time. Switzerland 0-1 England</b>

England are absolutely terrorising Switzerland. 4-0 wouldn't flatter them.

Fantastic play again by England. Rooney, again, rampant.

Brilliant play again by England! Fantastic long mazy run by Adam Johnson from the right, he finds Rooney, who rounds the keeper, clips it into Defoe but some kamikaze Swiss defending prevents the Spurs striker getting his head on it.

Rooney finds Defoe who does well to chest the ball down on the edge of the box and swings a left foot at it but his shot is saved well by Benaglio from point blank range.

England counter attack through Ashley Cole after a couple of minutes of some mild Swiss pressure and he can't believe he isn't awarded a free kick after Degan seemed to be pulling his shirt.

The crowd seem have woken from their slumber, after Rooney silenced them after 9 minutes.

Joe Hart has STILL not had a save to make.

The free kick is whipped in from the right, the ball skims off the head of Jagielka and Degan slices his shot over the bar.

BREAKING NEWS! Switzerland have attacked. A neat move down the left ends with a hopeful cross not being dealt with by Lescott. The ball breaks to Frei on the edge of the box and Barry fouls him. Swiss free-kick. Silly free kick to concede.

Adam Johnson skips inside a tackle and shoots from 30 yards with his left foot. Ambitious effort but it was dipping.

To say he has been rampant so far, is a complete understatement. He's been central to everything England have done so far. No sign that the headlines have affected him, which is a good sign for England fans.

That was Rooney's first international goal for a year, incidentally.

Joe Hart may as well get his pipe and slippers. Absolutely NOTHING to do so far.

Capello stamps his feet and slaps his thighs. I'm assuming he didn't want Rooney to do that.

After 29 minutes, Rooney has finally done something wrong. He shoots impulsively from distance and it's way way over.

Again England attack through Rooney and Gerrard, who finds Milner on the left this time, but his right footed cross from the left evades the sliding Defoe by inches. Could easily be 2-0 by now. Switzerland are at sea.

Brilliant play again by England. Gerrard finds Ashley Cole sprinting into the box but Cole can't quite find Defoe with his cross.

Rooney looks for Defoe with a delightful chip over the Swiss defence but again the balls skids away into the hands of the keeper.

Infact, so far it's hard to believe that this team beat Spain just two months ago in South Africa.

England being aggressive out of possession and incisive with it. Not a bad combination.

Switzerland's Lichtsteiner takes a knock to the head, relieving the pressure England are putting on them. The Swiss are being steam-rolled.

England in total control, though. Playing like the home side here.

Another great chance for England, this time falling to Defoe. Glen Johnson finds Adam Johnson who beats his man, Ziegler, again and pulls his cross back to Defoe, who can't keep his shot down. Decent effort but could, and maybe should, have hit the target there.

Milner motors down the left and tries to clip the ball in to Defoe, but it is deflected out for a corner.

Glen Johnson rolls the ball back to Gerrard who whips in an instinctive ball first time to Defoe but the Spurs forward seems surprised by the early ball and can't control it. But Gerrard's ball split the Swiss centre-backs Grichting and Von Bergen.

Capello is on the touchline barking instructions to his midfield, who have to re-adjust their tactics as a result of the substitution.

England are forced into an early change and it's a real shame to see Walcott carried off in such pain, especially the sizzling form he has been in. Plus, he's in my fantasy football team. Double blow.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"><b> Adam Johnson on for Walcott (England)</b>

Walcott, who has had trouble with a dislocated shoulder before, looks in a bad way. Not good for England or Arsenal, this.

Rooney was always going to respond to the pressure on the pitch and it took him next to no time to do so, but Walcott is still down. He is holding his shoulder.

GOOOOAAAAALLLLL!!!! <b>1-0 England! Guess who? It's Rooney, of course!</b> Walcott does brilliantly to shake off his man and feed Johnson down the right, who skips past the committed Ziegler, crosses low to Rooney to taps in from close range.

Ashley Cole, who never needs to be asked to bomb forward down the left, can't quite get on the end of Barry's return pass which skids off the greasy surface and out for a throw. That's sure to be a theme of tonight's game, given the conditions.

Theo Walcott gets his first touch of the ball, and immediately runs at the Swiss before being floored by David Degen in a no nonsense kind of way.

England making themselves comfortable in the early stages with the majority of the initial possession. Rooney just tries to float a cross from the left to the far post but it's way over Defoe's head.

Switzerland kick off and play in their traditional home kit of all red. England, shooting from left to right, are in their new white and blue combo.

<b>We are underway.</b>

We are momentts from kick off in a rainy Basel...

Another England player who will be eager not to slip up is Joleon Lescott, who has surprisingly been called up in place of Michael Dawson.

As you have probably heard (or read), the build-up to tonight's game in Basle has been dominated by allegations about Wayne Rooney's private life but England coach Fabio Capello feels the Manchester United striker is in the right state of mind to face the Swiss. Capello says: "I spoke with him, he said he was focused and that he wanted to play against Switzerland. I am sure he will play a really good game, the same level as he was against Bulgaria."

<b>England: Hart, Glen Johnson, Jagielka, Lescott, Ashley Cole, Walcott, Gerrard, Barry, Milner, Defoe, Rooney.</b> Subs: Foster, Gibbs, Cahill, Carrick, Adam Johnson, Wright-Phillips, Bent.

<b>Switzerland: Benaglio, Lichtsteiner, Grichting, Von Bergen, Ziegler, Margairaz, Inler, Schwegler, Degen, Derdiyok, Frei.</b> Subs: Wolfli, Affolter, Streller, Padalino, Fernandes, Costanzo, Shaqiri.

Without any further ado, here are the line-ups...

Switzerland kick off their qualification campaign here in Basel while England can build on their 4-0 hammering of Bulgaria tonight.

Hello everyone. I'm Michael da Silva and I'll be your host for tonight's Euro 2012 qualifier between Switzerland and England.

Wayne Rooney is all over the papers, but Carlo Ancelotti is backing <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=820992&sec=euro2012&cc=5739" target="_blank">Fabio Capello's handling of the situation.</a>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2010/0811/waynerooneyandref_275x155.jpg">

Join us at 19.45 BST to see if England can overcome their Swiss test.

Capello is still barking like a hound.

Surely England can't blow it, can they? They've been so far superior that it would be a travesty. But it's goals that count and England have just under 20 minutes to hold out.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>Gooooooaaaaaalllllll!!!! 2-1 England! It's Shaqiri!</b> Wow. Didn't see that coming. Absolutely fantastic strike from distance by the Swiss boy wonder. He skipped inside from the right before unleashing an unstoppable shot from some 25 yards into the top corner. Hart didn't have a chance.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>Gooooooaaaaaalllllll! 2-0 England! It's Adam Johnson for England.</b> Brilliant goal for England which should finish off the Swiss. Rooney, of course, plays in Gerrard who finds Adam Johnson with an inch perfect pass, who rounds the keeper and taps in. Great goal.

Lichtsteiner really is an idiot. Just when his team were looking menacing they are down to 10 men.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Streller for Degan (Switzerland) </b>

England players are vunerable to bookings themselves here as the Swiss crowd are whistling every decision against them. It's become a hostile atmosphere again and, dare I say, a very good game.

Lichtsteiner is rightly sent off after Adam Johnson's wonderful long pass finds Milner, who takes a heavy touch, but pokes it ahead of Lichtsteiner before the Swiss player can get there. The crowd are going nuts in protest.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/red_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Lichtsteiner (Switzerland) is sent off for a late foul on Milner.</b>

Dangerous moments for England as Switzerland sense an unlikely equaliser. Degan feels he is dragged down by his nemesis Ashley Cole in the box but nothing is given. Frei picks up the ball and his cross bounces around the England box like a pinball before Gerrard clears.

And now Joe Hart hits an unconvincing clearance directly out of play. "Are you Carson in disguise?" some may sing.

The ball momentarily squirms out of Joe Hart's arms but he gathers the second time.

Glen Johnson concedes a foul in a dangerous area for Switzerland.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Milner (England) is booked for a foul on Lichtsteiner</b>

Great effort by Glen Johnson from distance! He cuts inside and shoots with his left foot from distance and Benaglio turns it around the post.

The Swiss are just starting to get more possession and Capello is stood up in his technical area reminding his players that their work here is not done.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Lichtsteiner (Switzerland) booked for dissent.</b>

Steven Gerrard attempts a Hollywood pass, not for the first time tonight. Capello must tell him to repress the urge to do that. Indiscipline is England's downfall all too often.

The news coming in regarding Walcott's injury is that on first inspection, it's a sprained ankle. That's a relief for England.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2010/0907/theowalcottstretcheredoffvsui20100907_275x155.jpg"><b>Theo Walcott is stretchered off.</b>

Inler has a first meaningful effort of the game after his lob shot goes just over Joe Hart's goal. No real worry for England but a reminder that they only lead 1-0.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2010/0907/waynerooneyscoresvsui_275x155.jpg"> <b>Rooney scores for England.</b>

Ashley Cole wins a free kick off Degan, and Degan can't believe it. Quite a battle these two are having tonight.

Gerrard finds Adam Johnson brilliantly, who plays it out wide to Ashley Cole, who wins a corner. England picking up where they left off...

Johnson looked somewhat awkward and off-balance there. Half chance at best.

Rooney is already in the thick of it and clips a ball from the left side of the Swiss penalty box to Adam Johnson, who tries to volley it towards goal but his shot is wide of the near post.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Shaqiri on for Margairaz (Switzerland)</b>

<b>With England cruising, the second half is underway...</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2010/0907/waynerooneycelebvsui20100907_275x155.jpg"> <b>Rooney celebrates putting England 1-0 up in Basel.</b>

Incidentally, Montenegro (supposedly one of the weakest teams in England and Switzerland's group) have just beaten Bulgaria 1-0 away from home. So, with six points, they top Group G right now...

Join me in about 9 minutes for the second half. Remember, you can find me on Twitter at twitter.com/mjdasilva.

But Rooney has been the star of the show. Who would have thought it?

As an attacking force Switzerland have been non-existent, and generally very disappointing.

That was the most one-sided game of football I've seen for a long time. England are very, very comfortable.

<b>That's half time. Switzerland 0-1 England</b>

England are absolutely terrorising Switzerland. 4-0 wouldn't flatter them.

Fantastic play again by England. Rooney, again, rampant.

Brilliant play again by England! Fantastic long mazy run by Adam Johnson from the right, he finds Rooney, who rounds the keeper, clips it into Defoe but some kamikaze Swiss defending prevents the Spurs striker getting his head on it.

Rooney finds Defoe who does well to chest the ball down on the edge of the box and swings a left foot at it but his shot is saved well by Benaglio from point blank range.

England counter attack through Ashley Cole after a couple of minutes of some mild Swiss pressure and he can't believe he isn't awarded a free kick after Degan seemed to be pulling his shirt.

The crowd seem have woken from their slumber, after Rooney silenced them after 9 minutes.

Joe Hart has STILL not had a save to make.

The free kick is whipped in from the right, the ball skims off the head of Jagielka and Degan slices his shot over the bar.

BREAKING NEWS! Switzerland have attacked. A neat move down the left ends with a hopeful cross not being dealt with by Lescott. The ball breaks to Frei on the edge of the box and Barry fouls him. Swiss free-kick. Silly free kick to concede.

Adam Johnson skips inside a tackle and shoots from 30 yards with his left foot. Ambitious effort but it was dipping.

To say he has been rampant so far, is a complete understatement. He's been central to everything England have done so far. No sign that the headlines have affected him, which is a good sign for England fans.

That was Rooney's first international goal for a year, incidentally.

Joe Hart may as well get his pipe and slippers. Absolutely NOTHING to do so far.

Capello stamps his feet and slaps his thighs. I'm assuming he didn't want Rooney to do that.

After 29 minutes, Rooney has finally done something wrong. He shoots impulsively from distance and it's way way over.

Again England attack through Rooney and Gerrard, who finds Milner on the left this time, but his right footed cross from the left evades the sliding Defoe by inches. Could easily be 2-0 by now. Switzerland are at sea.

Brilliant play again by England. Gerrard finds Ashley Cole sprinting into the box but Cole can't quite find Defoe with his cross.

Rooney looks for Defoe with a delightful chip over the Swiss defence but again the balls skids away into the hands of the keeper.

Infact, so far it's hard to believe that this team beat Spain just two months ago in South Africa.

England being aggressive out of possession and incisive with it. Not a bad combination.

Switzerland's Lichtsteiner takes a knock to the head, relieving the pressure England are putting on them. The Swiss are being steam-rolled.

England in total control, though. Playing like the home side here.

Another great chance for England, this time falling to Defoe. Glen Johnson finds Adam Johnson who beats his man, Ziegler, again and pulls his cross back to Defoe, who can't keep his shot down. Decent effort but could, and maybe should, have hit the target there.

Milner motors down the left and tries to clip the ball in to Defoe, but it is deflected out for a corner.

Glen Johnson rolls the ball back to Gerrard who whips in an instinctive ball first time to Defoe but the Spurs forward seems surprised by the early ball and can't control it. But Gerrard's ball split the Swiss centre-backs Grichting and Von Bergen.

Capello is on the touchline barking instructions to his midfield, who have to re-adjust their tactics as a result of the substitution.

England are forced into an early change and it's a real shame to see Walcott carried off in such pain, especially the sizzling form he has been in. Plus, he's in my fantasy football team. Double blow.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"><b> Adam Johnson on for Walcott (England)</b>

Walcott, who has had trouble with a dislocated shoulder before, looks in a bad way. Not good for England or Arsenal, this.

Rooney was always going to respond to the pressure on the pitch and it took him next to no time to do so, but Walcott is still down. He is holding his shoulder.

GOOOOAAAAALLLLL!!!! <b>1-0 England! Guess who? It's Rooney, of course!</b> Walcott does brilliantly to shake off his man and feed Johnson down the right, who skips past the committed Ziegler, crosses low to Rooney to taps in from close range.

Ashley Cole, who never needs to be asked to bomb forward down the left, can't quite get on the end of Barry's return pass which skids off the greasy surface and out for a throw. That's sure to be a theme of tonight's game, given the conditions.

Theo Walcott gets his first touch of the ball, and immediately runs at the Swiss before being floored by David Degen in a no nonsense kind of way.

England making themselves comfortable in the early stages with the majority of the initial possession. Rooney just tries to float a cross from the left to the far post but it's way over Defoe's head.

Switzerland kick off and play in their traditional home kit of all red. England, shooting from left to right, are in their new white and blue combo.

<b>We are underway.</b>

We are momentts from kick off in a rainy Basel...

Another England player who will be eager not to slip up is Joleon Lescott, who has surprisingly been called up in place of Michael Dawson.

As you have probably heard (or read), the build-up to tonight's game in Basle has been dominated by allegations about Wayne Rooney's private life but England coach Fabio Capello feels the Manchester United striker is in the right state of mind to face the Swiss. Capello says: "I spoke with him, he said he was focused and that he wanted to play against Switzerland. I am sure he will play a really good game, the same level as he was against Bulgaria."

<b>England: Hart, Glen Johnson, Jagielka, Lescott, Ashley Cole, Walcott, Gerrard, Barry, Milner, Defoe, Rooney.</b> Subs: Foster, Gibbs, Cahill, Carrick, Adam Johnson, Wright-Phillips, Bent.

<b>Switzerland: Benaglio, Lichtsteiner, Grichting, Von Bergen, Ziegler, Margairaz, Inler, Schwegler, Degen, Derdiyok, Frei.</b> Subs: Wolfli, Affolter, Streller, Padalino, Fernandes, Costanzo, Shaqiri.

Without any further ado, here are the line-ups...

Switzerland kick off their qualification campaign here in Basel while England can build on their 4-0 hammering of Bulgaria tonight.

Hello everyone. I'm Michael da Silva and I'll be your host for tonight's Euro 2012 qualifier between Switzerland and England.

Wayne Rooney is all over the papers, but Carlo Ancelotti is backing <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=820992&sec=euro2012&cc=5739" target="_blank">Fabio Capello's handling of the situation.</a>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2010/0811/waynerooneyandref_275x155.jpg">

Join us at 19.45 BST to see if England can overcome their Swiss test.