Taylor's Bad Habit Could Have Been So Costly
Last updated : 15 June 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor
Titus Bramble is famous for losing concentration during spells in matches that usually lead to a goal, but Taylor's weakness is the way he grapples with strikers on the edge of the box. And we have seen it all too often in games during the last season.
Bramble is gone, and I'm sure Sam Allardyce won't risk his managerial future on a player who "wades in" the way Taylor did last night in Holland. The kid MUST learn! He gave away needles free-kicks and the main talking point from the Italians was a penalty decision they didn't get ... and didn't deserve. But the fact remains Taylor DID have his arm around the player and another referee could have jumped on it.
In the end England Under-21s let a two-goal lead slip in their European Championship clash against Italy in Arnhem, when they were totally in control.
David Nugent and Leroy Lita, who had earlier missed an open goal, put Stuart Pearce's youngsters ahead before the Azzurri forced their way back into the reckoning under the closed roof at the Gelredome to keep themselves in the competition.
Giorgio Chiellini and Alberto Aquilani scored either side of the break to earn a draw for Pierluigi Casiraghi's side.
James Milner played the 90 minutes, and ex-Newcastle striker Giuseppe Rossi (who was loaned to the Magpies from Manchester United last season) was a second-half substitute for Italy.
Softening the blow for Pearce is knowing a win on Sunday against Serbia will see them through to the last four.
Serbia sealed their place in the semi's with a last-gasp 1-0 win over Czech Republic thanks to Bosko Jankovic's injury-time winner.
The Serbian's top the group on six points while England have two and Italy and Czech Republic are on one each.
RESULTS:
England 0 Czech Republic 0
Serbia 1 Italy 0
Holland 1 Israel 0
Belgium 0 Portugal 0
Israel 0 Belgium 1
Holland 2 Portugal 1
England 2 Italy 2
Czech Rep 0 Serbia 1
FIXTURES:
Sat 16 Belgium v Holland (7.45pm) Group A
Sat 16 Israel v Portugal (7.45pm) Group A
Sun 17 Italy v Czech Rep (5.15pm) Group B
Sun 17 England v Serbia (7.45pm) Group B
Wed 20 Winner A v Runner-up B (5.15pm) Semi-final
Wed 20 Winner B v Runner-up A (7.45pm) Semi-final
Thu 21 3rd place play-off (7.45pm) Play-off
Sat 23 Final (7.45pm) Final