It's my fault! Hodgson takes the blame as Sanchez stuns poor England at Wembley

By Sami Mokbel

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Roy Hodgson took the blame as his World Cup experiment failed and England were booed off at Wembley after defeat by Chile.

Alexis Sanchez scored twice to bring England down to earth after qualifying for Brazil 2014.

Chile dominated for large parts after Hodgson made eight changes from the side that started the qualifier against Poland, handing debuts to Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster and Southampton duo Jay Rodriguez and Adam Lallana.

My fault: Roy Hodgson accepted the blame for England's defeat by Chile at Wembley

My fault: Roy Hodgson accepted the blame for England's defeat by Chile at Wembley

Cruise: Chile were the dominant force throughout during their 2-0 win against a lacklustre England

Cruise: Chile were the dominant force throughout during their 2-0 win against a lacklustre England

The England manager said: ‘I took a chance tonight and ran a risk with the debuts that it would go our way — it didn’t. I have to accept that responsibility.’

Hodgson revealed Phil Jones could miss Tuesday’s clash against Germany after sustaining a groin injury last night and admitted that his team selection did not have the desired impact.

But he added: ‘It’s going to be harsh to make too many judgments on the debutants, full stop. They came into a team where a lot of the players around them weren’t necessarily the most experienced. 

‘And we were playing against a team where even our more experienced players, or those who had played more in the qualifiers, would have found it more difficult anyway.

Backfire: Hodgson fielded an experimental team for the friendly and his gamble didn't pay off

Backfire: Hodgson fielded an experimental team for the friendly and his gamble didn't pay off

Standout: Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez scored both goals for the visitors

Standout: Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez scored both goals for the visitors

‘Chile were good and deserved to win. We learned a lot. I did say before the game that they were a very good team. They proved that. 

‘We learned a lot about South American opposition and what it’s like to play against a South American team, how good they are at sucking you towards their goalkeeper, who manages to ping 40-50 yard balls on to people’s toes.’

Hodgson refused to criticise the England supporters who booed his side off, saying: ‘That’s part of the game today. Fans don’t accept defeats or want them. Who does? We don’t want them either. 

‘But there aren’t many games I see played today where the home team have lost and there isn’t some sort of booing. I’ll not criticise our fans.

Lob: After opening the scoring with a header, Sanchez chipped Fraser Forster in injury time for his second

Lob: After opening the scoring with a header, Sanchez chipped Fraser Forster in injury time for his second

‘They were disappointed tonight that we couldn’t keep our momentum and performances going, so they’re entitled to show their frustration.

‘But they’ll show a measure of perspective. It’s important you don’t beat yourself up too much. It’s important that, having been knocked down, they (the players) pick themselves up again. 

‘We’ve got a big game on Tuesday. We need to play better if we’re going to beat top teams like Chile and Germany.’

Skipper Frank Lampard was impressed with the contribution of Lallana.

Reward: Frank Lampard received a golden cap after passing 100 appearances for England

Reward: Frank Lampard received a golden cap after passing 100 appearances for England

‘I thought he was very lively,’ he said. ‘Both Southampton boys deserved their chances and on another day he might have had two goals on his debut.’

It was a first defeat for England in 2013, but one from which veteran campaigner Lampard feels a lot can be learned.

'We never like to lose, but they are a top quality opposition with a different style to what we are used to,' he said.

'It was a very useful exercise for us. We have qualified for Brazil and have to take certain things on the chin, learn from the mistakes but also look at the fact we created a lot of chances and it could have been 2-2.'

 

The comments below have not been moderated.

England big comedy yawn.

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He ignores form and picks players solely based on the club they play for. His football methods are a good twenty years out of date. His team talks are the equivalent of taking sleeping tablets. Sack him now and give Brendon Rogers the job.

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Our beloved game has been completely taken over by money men. Like just about everything else.

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Lampard is more concerned with getting an extra cap. Too much emphasis is put on individual caps. We should focus on team milestones instead so that the players understand that the team is more important than their own personal international career.

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I think we need to realise the chance of us winning the World Cup is ZERO! So why not just bring in fresh blood now even from the championship and start building a new team?

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England will win the World Cup in Brazil. This is not my cough medicine talking.

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Frank Lampard " and it could have been 2-2 " You play to WIN Frank the loser.....

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We have had thousands of failed experiments since 1966 !

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You said it roy. Your first team might not even win this match. Might even've lost 3 nil

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Ridiculous fans booing at the end. I'm bored of hearing all you so called England fans rubbishing our team after every performance. Yes we were outplayed by a Chile, but haven't we come to expect that after the last 10 years. We're not going to win the World Cup, but lets back the team and enjoy it!

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