Two early goals ensured England defeated China 2-1 at Manchester City's Academy Stadium although they will be disappointed not to have added to their tally after such a frantic opening. Women's International Friendly England 2-1 China Taylor 1, Kirby 10 Wang 16
Before the game a Manchester City steward had been saying how impressed he had been with the China team during midweek practice.
What he must have been thinking after ten minutes when Team China had conceded two goals, and looked vulnerable every time England attacked would have been interesting to hear.
This was 6th ranked England's final home match before this summer's FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada and a chance for players to impress boss Mark Sampson with a number of established personnel missing through injury.
For China, who would also be going to Canada, it looked like defensive frailties would ensure a swift exit from the competition, as Jodie Taylor converted a Fran Kirby cross after only a minute, then provider turned goalscorer with a control and volley.
The last time these two teams met China won 2-0 in 2007, and England should have increased their lead as the visitor's defence looked to crumble under the slightest pressure.
Yet on 16 minutes with their first attempt on the England goal, the host's showed they could also struggle at the back. They failed to clear a corner and from the scramble Shanshan Wang headed home from close range.
China took heart from reducing the deficit and doubts appeared in the England game, who for all their possession, failed to trouble the China keeper whose defence finally found some cohesion for the remainder of the first half.
The second half involved a number of substitutions from both side's yet it was team China who seemed to benefit from the changes as they gradually began to increase the tempo in their search for an equaliser.
But England also had chances with Kirby and Jill Scott both going close and a corner caused panic in the visitor's defence but the ball bounced up-and-over the bar.
With 16th ranked China having tightened up at the back they began to create chances of their own. Shuang Wang brought a fine save from Siobhan Chamberlain, then an own goal almost gifted them a leveller.
A crowd of 5,665 then watched both sets of players cancel each other out as the game drifted towards an England victory, although both manager's will be well aware sterner tests lie ahead in Canada.
