Chris Sutton feels Newcastle United’s Kieran Trippier was ‘lucky’ the United States did not score against England. He adds the full-back had a ‘challenging’ time in the World Cup tie.
The Three Lions could only hang on to take a goalless draw with the USMNT in Group B on Friday. Gareth Southgate’s side had entered the night with the chance to secure a spot in the Round of 16. But England could not repeat their efforts that saw them thrash Iran 6-2.
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Instead, the USA were the team in the ascendency throughout the Al Bayt Stadium match. But Gregg Berhalter’s squad could not find a way to beat Jordan Pickford of Everton in the net. Yet England needed the posts and Manchester United’s Harry Maguire to keep it level.
Trippier gave the USA an early sight of the England goal after Weston McKennie caught the Newcastle defender napping. But the Juventus midfielder spurned a great chance to break the deadlock by blazing over the crossbar. Christian Pulisic also went close due to Trippier.
The Chelsea winger smashed the bar just after the half-hour mark in Al Khor as Berhalter’s side increased the pressure. All Trippier could do was watch as the woodwork stopped the USA taking a deserved lead. The £12m Magpies dynamo had a night very much to forget.
Sutton feels Newcastle’s Trippier was ‘lucky’ the USA did not score against England
Trippier was far from the full-back Newcastle fans have seen thrive in the Premier League as England met the USA. His defensive shortcomings afforded the Stars and Stripes plenty of chances. And he was unable to make amends at the other end with yet further difficulties.
The 32-year-old was sloppy in possession and offered little movement on the right wing at Al Bayt Stadium. Antonee Robinson overlapping with Pulisic on the USA’s left also meant the 39-cap Bury native could not push forward as much as he would have wanted to try.
But his ineffective defensive efforts were the biggest cause for concern during the goalless stalemate in Al Khor. So much so that Sutton only gave Trippier a 4.5 out of 10 rating in his player ratings for the Daily Mail, noting of the Newcastle star’s work in England vs the USA:
“Fortunate when Weston McKennie blazed over a glorious chance to open the scoring with Trippier not marking his man. Then lucky to see Pulisic – or ‘Captain America’ as he’s known in the States – smash his shot against the crossbar. Challenging night for Trippier.”
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