Hodgson hails England's defence after Ukraine draw
Roy Hodgson was forced to defend Englands performance in Ukraine but the one thing not under fire on Tuesday night was the Three Lions own goal.
Shot-shy in attack and sloppy in possession, the fact England returned from the World Cup qualifier with a clean sheet was thanks to a disciplined defensive display, as the manager was quick to point out.
Although some questioned the performance of Kyle Walker at right-back, his task of closing down Yevhen Konoplyanka was the toughest any England player faced.
Ashley Cole was in command on the other side, while Gary Cahill produced his finest international display alongside Phil Jagielka, who was not far behind.
All our defenders were really good, and they needed to be, said Hodgson.
If they had not been, the quality of our opponents, in front of a very fervent home crowd, created conditions that begged for a defeat.
Hodgson struggled to settle on a regular centre-back partnership following the retirement of John Terry last September but after fielding Cahill and Jagielka there for the last five matches, it is clear the England boss sees the duo as his first-choice combination.
The partnership is getting better, definitely, Everton captain Jagielka said.
To play two games together in quick succession makes life easier.
Its been quite a few times Gaz and I have played together so hopefully if we can stay fit and in-form, we can keep putting that England jersey on and be as good together as possible.
With England now one point clear at the top of Group H, Jagielka has no complaints about the display. We would have loved to have got three points but our destiny is in our hands now, he said.
