Turning in a hat-trick scoring, Player of the Match performance as England thrashed Serbia 7-0 in Saturday’s Euro 2017 qualifier was no problem for Karen Carney – she was just doing as she was told, insists the Chelsea midfielder.
By Tony Leighton
“I’m just told to stand where I am,” says Carney, who was employed at the tip of a midfield diamond that worked to perfection as England rediscovered their shooting boots after a barren run of just six goals in nine matches.
“I don’t mind,” she added, “because it’s not a lot of running. (Fellow midfielder) Jill Scott tells me, “just don’t move,” and I get told off if I come anywhere towards the ball or go out (wide). So I pretty much stay where I am.
“Whereas everybody else moves, I just stand where I am. So it’s quite good fun, even though my GPS (analysis) scores are probably right down. Everybody probably thinks I’m really lazy but honestly, I’m just doing what I’m told!”
Goals by Liverpool left back Alex Greenwood, Houston Dash striker – on her England debut – Rachel Daly, Notts County striker Ellen White and Manchester City midfielder Izzy Christian added to Carney’s hat-trick as England returned to shooting form with a vengeance.
Goals had been hard to come by in recent performances but Carney reckons: “Some teams have put a brick wall and a bus and a train in front of the goal. That’s made it difficult for us, but we bounced back in style and now we can hopefully keep the goals flowing.”
Keeping the goals flowing will now be the aim as England face Serbia again on Tuesday, this time in Stara Pazova, with Carney & Co knowing that another win will guarantee a place at next year’s Euro finals in the Netherlands.
But nothing should be taken for granted, warns Carney, despite Saturday’s overwhelming victory. “We played in Serbia in the 2013 Euro qualifiers and after being 2-0 up we drew 2-2,” she recalled.
“So I think it will be more difficult on Tuesday than on Saturday. They’ll probably bank up a bit more, but we’ll aim to be as ruthless as we were at Wycombe.”
Photos – The FA via Getty Images
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