Euro 2012: Roy Hodgson encouraged by spirited England fightback

ENGLAND manager Roy Hodgson admitted his disappointment at the two goals his side conceded from set-pieces at the Olympic Stadium last night, but accepted such things can happen against sides of Sweden’s quality.

He was impressed with the way his players came back, though, and was keen to savour a victory that looked unlikely when the Swedes went 2-1 in front just before the hour mark.

Speaking at full-time, the manager said: “It was a cracking game of football. We were reasonably comfortable at half-time and had a good control of the game before they rocked us on our heels.

“We knew how dangerous they were from set-pieces and they proved true to that. But it was very good the way the team responded to that. It’s difficult at this level, we’re playing against good teams. Our attacking play showed good intentions and we looked dangerous.

“We limited them to not too many opportunities in free play.

“We got a good victory against a team with good experience and a team that can boast many caps.”

Hodgson also took the time to thank captain Steven Gerrard for the role he has played so far in his four-game reign.

Appointing Gerrard to the armband was one of Hodgson’s first moves, and he said: “Steven has been fantastic ever since I was given the job.

“My first thought was to contact him and since then he hasn’t put a foot wrong as a captain, a person or a player. He’s playing like a captain should, as one of the best players in the tournament.”

All the goals were celebrated by Wayne Rooney, with the Manchester United striker’s watching brief now over with his two-game suspension now expired. He will be free to play against Ukraine and Hodgson is keen to include him.

He added: “Against Ukraine, a player like Rooney can make a major difference and I am delighted to welcome him back. If I did leave him out, all hell might break loose in the dressing room!”

Disappointed Sweden coach Erik Hamren said he could not fault his players after they were eliminated the tournament following two straight defeats.

“I’m very proud of the players,” the coach told a news conference, adding that he as coach bore the lion’s share of the responsibility for the early exit. “For the first goal we have to admire England, because that’s what they set out to do, use Carroll’s game. The second goal, we block and we’re in the right place but I think it touched Sebastian (Larsson) and changed direction. With the third goal, we had England on the rack and I think they could play the rest of their lives without scoring another one.”

Olof Mellberg, who put in a towering performance for the Swedes with two goals, said: “I think we’re sad after today, especially the way we went out, felt we deserved more. We did better compared to the first game, but obviously conceding five goals in two games is really disappointing,”