Article By K Anand - Malaysian Insider

For the past year, and especially during the World Cup 2010 qualifying campaign, England were looking in fantastic condition. Don Fabio Capello had done wonders, one imagined.

Glen Johnson performed admirably for Portsmouth and got a big money transfer to a Big Four club, Rio Ferdinand  and John Terry seemed like the best central defenders in Europe, Ashley Cole was showing why he is regarded as one of the best left backs in the world, Frank Lampard had just completed one of his best seasons, Steven Gerrard was creating havoc alongside Fernando Torres and nearly caught Manchester United for the league and Aaron Lennon was showing cracking form which seemed to be forcing him into England’s first 11.

Since the latter half of last year however, things have simply gone downhill for Terry and Cole on the personal front, Ferdinand and Gerrard have been abysmal for most of this season while Lampard seems to be fairly anonymous compared to his own high standards.

Add to that the injuries to Lennon and Johnson and the majority of England’s starting 11 seems to be crocked or out of form. One of the things that hasn’t changed is that Gareth Barry is still consistent and England still have the worst goalkeepers in comparison with some of the other international number ones.

The John Terry-Wayne Bridge saga has only made things worse for the manager from Italy. The 29-year-old Manchester City defender has basically pulled out of the England side of his own accord, declaring his position within Capello’s squad as “untenable”.

This decision represents a major blow for the Italian, who could also be without first-choice left-back Cole through injury. Hence, he has not yet given up hope of persuading Bridge to join the squad for South Africa.

The one with the long throws and a horrific injury

When a team is called Stoke City... you can expect the long throw ins to come... and to make matter even worse with their home advantage, there's a towel waiting on the sidelines for Delap to ensure the ball is less slippery for the missile launching. To prove it yet again the long throw in trouble us and it was only 7 mins on the clock , Pugh pounce in after Delap long throw.1-0 to Stoke. 

We piled up the pressure adn began to control the game... Fabregas lofted a good cross in and there was Bendtner heading home the equaliser. A superb cross and a majestic header...its now 2 goals in 2 games for the young Danish.1-1

From the start of the second half , Arsenal was firing in all cylinders , knowing the fact that a win could take us 3 points within Chelsea whom lost their lunch time kick off against Man City. 

The horrorific injury came when Ramsey went in to challange Shawcross. The challange was not replayed on due to the nature of the tackle. But seeing the expression of the players it summarize how bad it was.

Rosicky came in  to replace the injured Ramsey and it took sometime for the players to get back into the grove after the incident.A win for Ramsey was the main agenda and on the 90th minute we were awarded a penalty as Bendtner shot struck a Stoke City defender hand. Fabregas , Captain Marvel cooly slotted the ball home and after that was an emotional celebration. The 3rd came in soon after when Rosicky shot was parried by Sorenson to the feet of our Captain Marvel whom then squared the ball for Varmaelen to slot in.

A well deserved, important and emotionall win for us.