England start bright enough, Crouch is through after 2 mins but fails to get a toe to the ball, spurns the chance to open the scoring. After 8 mins a hopeful shot from Ashley Young flies over the top of the bar. On 15 mins, Gerrard takes a free-kick to G Johnson who sets up Crouch, Crouch heads a little high and wide. A strike by Ashley Cole is flapped at by the keeper who manages to keep it out of the goal. Several more chances come England's way, but on the whole England look a bit ponderous and slow despite their superior possession.
In the closing minute, G Johnson is put through, takes a bad decision, declining the shot - instead his pass is woeful, Rooney gathers the ball but cannot find the net through a sea of bodies. England are looking comfortable in the middle of the park, but Montenegro are not too bothered by English attacking moves which are plodding and uncertain.
The second half begins brightly like the first, Rooney shooting over from distance in the first few minutes. More swift moves follow, Gerrard passes straight through everyone from the right hand side, more pinpoint passes from Gerrard go begging. More free-kicks are earned and wasted (missing Beckham now...), but the only player really looking worth his salt for England is Gerrard. Unfortunately England are so ponderous, Gerrard is spending too much time in his own half.
69 mins, Crouch off for Kevin Davies who gets an early chance to cross from the right, corner won. Shortly after that Davies and Rooney combine, ball falls to Rooney, stunning save from the keeper denies him.
73 mins, Wright-Phillips on for Ashley Young, Wright Philips exercises the Montenegro defence on the left--hand side. On 83 mins a dipping Montenegro chance shot out of the blue beats Joe Hart (only time he has had to even move...) but thankfully hits the bar to avoid a disaster. More chances fall to England as the clock ticks away, more free-kicks wasted, Barry has a chance on his wrong (left) foot saved by the diving keeper - time finally runs out on a disappointing draw.
Nevertheless, you have to say, had this been a boxing match, England got a convincing points win... Sadly this is not how qualifiers work, and England have squandered a chance to establish themselves as Group leaders. The positives were that Montenegro had not one shot on target, at least England drew about four or five decent saves.
The bad news is that England look ponderous, Rooney looks bemused - the play was not incisive enough, there were plenty of chances but no joy.
