ENGLAND 2, TURKEY 1
Kane and Vardy are having a party is the quirky name of a new charity Euro 2016 pop song.
And the front pair had a party as they both scored against Turkey in a friendly at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium in the build up to next month’s Euro finals in France.
There was nothing wrong with England’s attacking play as they limbered up with a good workout against opponents 13th in the world rankings – this was their first defeat in 18 months, an indication as to how solid a side they are.
While England’s attacking prowess could not be faulted, there were some defensive frailties that need working on.
While left-back Danny Rose was excellent and a worthy man of the match, centre-backs Gary Cahill and John Stones are in need of better protection in front from the midfield anchormen.
Eric Dier played a lone defensive role with the rest of the midfield bombing forward leaving the backline badly exposed at times.
Overall, manager Roy Hodgson was satisfied with his team’s performance saying: “Wins are always pleasing and there were some positive aspects.
“For large swathes of the game we played reasonably well, but we also showed we are not yet the finished article and things need to be done as a team of Turkey’s quality showed.
“The next three weeks are going to be vital.”
Hodgson also revealed Vardy will miss Friday’s friendly against Australia as he is getting married on Wednesday.
England’s manager added it was unfair to ask Vardy to cancel his nuptials for a second time as he did so last summer after being called into the England squad.
And Hodgson added there are plenty of options as Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge and Marcus Rashford will all tomorrow join up with the squad.
Hodgson fielded an attacking line up containing Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy while a creative midfield contained Raheem Sterling, Jack Wilshere and Dele Alli.
England began with a 4-1-4-1 line up with Vardy on the left, Alli and Wilshere in the centre and Sterling on the right behind lone front man Kane.
And England should have gone ahead after only 38 seconds when Kane released Vardy who overran the ball when clean through on goal.
England were ahead little after two minutes when Sterling and Alli linked to release Kane who fired home home 12 yards low to the left of keeper Volkan Babacan for his fifth goal in 11 internationals.
Turkey responded positively as Secuk Inan had a goalbound shot blocked by Kyle Walker an Cenk Tosun had an angled shot well kept out by keeper Joe Hart.
And the visitors were rewarded with a 13th minute equaliser when Hart came out and committed himself at the feet of Volkan Sen who lifted the ball over the keeper and crossed for Hakan Calhanoglu to fired home from six yards.
It was the first goal the Turks had ever scored against England as in the previous 10 meetings the goal tally was 31-0 in England’s favour.
England responded as Wilshere forced a diving save from Babacan while Eric Dier headed into the side netting at the near post from Wilshire’s corner.
Alli had a chance to put England ahead again seconds after the restart, but his 25-yard drive was deflected and luckily went straight to Babacan who was lying in the ground.
Turkey remained a threat, especially Besiktas striker Tosun who headed wide from a corner before seeing an excellent shot in the turn from the edge of the box whistle past the upright.
Hakan Kadir Balta then glanced a header from a corner across the face of goal as England at times lived dangerously at the back.
England made their first change midway through the second period when Wilshere made way for Jordan Henderson.
England had the chance to regain the lead when they won a penalty after Vardy was brought down by Mehmet Topal after bursting through on goal after making an interception. Replays suggested there was minimal, if any, contact.
Kane stepped up only to see his spot kick strike the outside of the post as he sank to his knees in despair.
It was England’s 33rd penalty miss and the first since Frank Lampard just before the finals of the 2010 World Cup.
England finally scored their second with seven minutes left as Vardy found the net with a typical predator’s finish.
Gary Cahill’s header from Kane’s corner was well saved by Babacan but Vardy, following up, rifled home the rebound from inside the six-yard box.
It was Vardy’s third goal for England and scored in consecutive matches.
There could have been further goals in stoppage time as Kane fired wide for England as that would have sealed victory.
And it looked as though it might be a costly miss when in the third minute of stoppage time Hart pulled off a great save to keep out a shot from substitute Olcay Sahan.