Capello admits 'England were lucky'

Capello 'suffered' in closing stages
Fabio Capello admitted England
were lucky to secure the win over
Wales that puts them on the brink
of Euro 2012 qualification -
claiming his players lose
confidence when they play at
Wembley.
Ashley Young's goal on 35 minutes
gave England their first victory at
Wembley in more than a year and
leaves them needing only a point
from their final qualifier in
Montenegro next month to reach the
tournament in Poland and Ukraine.
But it was a poor England
performance and they were fortunate
to escape with three points after
Wales substitute Robert Earnshaw
shot over the top of an open goal
with 13 minutes left.
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Capello said: "We were lucky. The
moment when their player made a big
mistake in front of goal was lucky, but
I didn't think we played very well in
the last 15 minutes and we suffered.
"We never had good possession and
never pressed the ball. We played on
the counter-attack without speed.
"We played well for 20 minutes in the
first half but we need to play well for
the whole match."
England's struggles were in sharp
contrast to the comfort of their 3-0
win in Bulgaria on Friday and Capello
still believes his team is struggling
with the pressure of playing at
Wembley.
He said: "Sometimes the result is the
most important thing and I think at
Wembley our opponents play with
more courage and aggression.
"Probably here at Wembley we lose
confidence. Some players who usually
dribble and go straight at goal don't
do it. We pass across the goal four or
five times. I always want three players
in front of goal but there was only
one.
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Win was important - Young
"In qualification for the World Cup,
we played very well at Wembley but
we probably felt the pressure of
getting the result and the other team
didn't. It is different if you can do
something with a free mind."
Capello praised match-winner Young,
with Manchester United's summer
signing a stand-out performer as
England secured maximum points
from their two qualifiers.
"Ashley Young is a really good
player," said Capello. "He was good
when he started playing with me and
I've known him three or four years
now. He is a really important player
for us. His movement with and
without the ball is really good."