England Watch: Fabio’s fab five, starring Welbeck, Defoe, Davies and Oxlade-Chamberlain
Football fans were served up a real treat over the weekend as a series of stunning goals and dramatic end-to-end contests added a few more names to Don Fabio's list to look out for ahead of Euro 2012.
Danny Welbeck and Jermain Defoe were on target in Sunday's two blockbuster games, the latter coming agonisingly close to grabbing a late winner for Spurs at the Etihad.
Meanwhile, at the Emirates a certain 18-year-old Englishman was looking good for Arsenal against the defending champs, suggesting he could have what it takes to shine on the big stage next summer. Each week, talkSPORT takes a look at how the players fighting for a place on the plane to Poland and Ukraine are getting on, including established stars and emerging talent…
DANNY WELBECK
He grabbed the all-important winner to help United keep the gap between themselves and Man City to three points, though Welbeck will be wondering how he didn't come away from the Emirates with a hat-trick. Per Mertesacker cleared one of his efforts off the line, while the 19-year-old was later clean through on goal only to be denied. His all-round performance alongside Wayne Rooney was a timely reminder to England's head coach that far from simply replacing his Man United team-mate during the latter's two-game suspension, he could also be a ready made partner for Wazza in the tournament's latter stages.
JERMAIN DEFOE
Defoe rounded England's Joe Hart brilliantly to get Spurs back into the game, then came excruciatingly close to winning it at the death when his outstretched foot guided the ball past the outside of City's post. Defoe later tweeted: "Thinking if only I had longer legs #Gutted." The nippy striker can still be proud of his performance, but may need more regular game time to force his way into Capello's plans.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Such was his brilliance against the defending champions, when Arsene Wenger replaced the Ox with 15 minutes to play, Arsenal's fans were less than pleased. At this rate Oxlade-Chamberlain - who set up Robin Van Persie for the Gunners' equaliser - could be battling his team-mate Theo Walcott for a place in the England team for Euro 2012.
Paul Robinson
Capello may like to persuade Blackburn's stopper, who was fantastic once again at Goodison Park, to return to the fold as England's first replacement behind Joe Hart. An instinctive save from Denis Stracqualursi and a splendid stop to deny Fellaini deep into injury time underlined Robinson's quality, and saved a point for relegation threatened Rovers.
Mark Davies
Bolton are beginning to develop a knack of nabbing bright young Englishmen from Premier League rivals. First Gary Cahill was deemed surplus to requirments at Villa Park, then Mark Davies arrived from Wolves in 2009. The 23 year-old is finding his feet this year, scoring at Ewood Park in December and notching the opener against Liverpool this weekend. His all-round performace was outstanding against England regular Steven Gerrard. Tidy and accomplished in possession, Davies may need more goals and stand out performances to impress Fabio Capello.
Follow the Official Team Sponsor at