England looked to be made of strong stuff as they just missed out on a morale-boosting victory against Brazil at the new Wembley.

John Terry's classic header from just one of many pinpoint crosses and passes supplied by the returning David Beckham was just reward for a performance that might not have been sparkling, but showed they have the mettle to keep the best at bay with a determined display at the back.

Newcomer Nick Shorey did well, Paul Robinson was outstanding in goal and Terry, Ledley King and Jamie Carragher did their jobs well, too. Granted, Brazil also took more brownie points for their solid performance at the back rather than what we have come to expect from them - free-running, flair-laden football punctuated by a non-stop barrage of shots on goal.

But they posed enough threat with the players they had on the field in Kaka, Ronaldinho and newcomers Alves, Mineiro, Juan and Naldo to give England a test and keep them on their toes.

There wasn't much wrong with Steve McClaren's starting line-up in midfield of Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Joe Cole, but it was up front where the national side misfired once again. Michael Owen is running out of chances as he bids to resurrect his injury-hit career. There are plenty of years left in him yet, though, and I'd be happy to give him another chance against Estonia, this time pairing him with that more-than-useful beanpole Peter Crouch up front.

It would mean Cole, Beckham and Co getting in lots of crosses for Crouch to knock down or head for goal himself - and if that doesn't work I would replace Crouch with Jermaine Defoe and go for a more fluid 4-4-2 approach in the hunt for goals.