Source: Daily_Mail
Portugal U21 0 England U21 1: Manchester United's Bebe flops as Chelsea's Daniel Sturridge strikes
Jack Wilshere was left out of England's team on Friday night because Stuart Pearce felt he had lost his focus. The Arsenal midfielder was interviewed by police over an assault after a night out clubbing last weekend and the England manager said 'he had taken his eye off the ball'.Wilshere, 18, was an unused substitute for this Euro 2011 group game as Daniel Sturridge scored the goal which kept qualification hopes alive. Match-winner: Daniel Sturridge slots home a vital strike for England U21sPearce said there is no guarantee he will play in the must-win game against Lithuania on Tuesday either. 'There have been one or two storiesin regard to him,' said Pearce. 'Whether there is any truth in them ornot I am not particularly interested but I felt he had taken his eyeoff the ball.'This game was too important to put a player on the pitch who hadn't had a full focus in respect of that.' England had to win here to preservetheir chances of getting through to the finals in Denmark next year.They have to win again in their final game to get into the play-offs asthe best second-placed team.Marked man: New Manchester United striker Bebe (right) fights for the ball with Kyle Walker Joy: Daniel Sturridge and Jordan Henderson celebrate England's winnerBut where this win leaves Wilshereis anybody's guess and how he reacts to the latest setback will becrucial. He has been showered with praise by Arsenal manager ArseneWenger and his elevation to Capello's squad for the friendly againstHungary was also a big deal.He probably thought this was goingto be one of the biggest weeks of his life, with a second seniorcall-up and a return to Wembley for a Euro 2012 qualifier on Fridaynight.Instead, he watched Sturridge, Chris Smalling and Tom Cleverley all enhance their reputations. 'I have to make team selection towin the game,' said Pearce. 'I don't do things for effect. I had toleave Theo Walcott out a year ago having persuaded him to come to theUnder 21 Championship. 'His reaction was fantastic and thesame will apply to Jack. He has to put on a performance in training forme and I will review how we can beat Lithuania with the best teampossible. He understood.'So Wilshere will have to impressover the couple of days and he has some competition. Michael Mancienneand Jordan Henderson did well in central midfield and Cleverley wassuperb on the right. The Manchester United player, who is on loan atWigan, set up Sturridge's goal with a peach of a through ball midwaythrough the first-half.Chelsea striker Sturridge, whocelebrated his 21st birthday on Wednesday, scored with a deft,left-foot chip and could have had another late on. And NathanDelfouneso missed a sitter at the death.Pearce added: 'If we had won two orthree nil it would have been a fair reflection on chances. On occasionwe cut them open with our passing.' While Wilshere sat this one out,Manchester United's £7.4million signing Bebe made his Under 21 debut.He has been heralded as a magician but looked anything but in his firstgame for a couple of months.However, late in the second half asPortugal perked up, he dumped Mancienne on the floor with a sharp turnand stung the hands of goalkeeper Frank Fielding with his shot. Bebeadmitted afterwards the he 'still has a lot to learn'. England v Bulgaria: how the opening Euro 2012 qualifier unfoldedCapello: You've made me a monster! England boss turns on his criticsBebe blunder! Manchester United could have had £7.4m signing for £125kThe incredible rise of a lost street kid who is now. United's new Bebe