Highlights - England 1-1 USA United States manager Bob Bradley was full of praise for his side after they battled back to hold England to a 1-1 draw in their World Cup Group C opener. England took the lead through Steven Gerrard but a terrible Robert Green gaffe saw Bradley's side earn a point. "The response was good," Bradley said. "After the goal, we started to put some plays together and built up confidence. "It was a great team effort to come back and equalise and was important for us to come away with a point." Bradley felt it was crucial his side avoided defeat in their opening fixture and was more than a happy with a draw from what was seen as their toughest match of the group stages. Bradley to build on England draw "England made us pay but it forced us to get going in the game very quickly," said Bradley. "At half-time we said we had a chance to win and at the end we took a point. "It was a fast, hard game and we were pleased with the way our midfield was able to compete with England. It was a good team effort defensively. "We have had a good focus all the time and have understood what the first round is about. "It was a big game and a big night and overall we take away positive things as we now get ready for Slovenia," added Bradley, referring to his side's next game on Friday 18 June.  | PHIL MCNULTY BLOG |
US striker Clint Dempsey was the fortunate beneficiary of Green's mistake, after the goalkeeper inexplicably allowed his tame 25-yard drive to slip through his fingers and bobble into the net. And Dempsey admitted he could not believe his good fortune in Rustenburg. "When I hit the shot I knew it was going on target and at the last second it moved a little bit," said Dempsey. "I saw Green reaching for it but then I saw it go over the line. I was hoping the referee saw it too. Thankfully he did. "It is one of those goals everyone else seems to get. You watch them and think 'Why can I never get a goal like that?' Now I have." Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard, who pulled off two fine saves to deny Emile Heskey and Shaun Wright-Phillips after the break, was equally satisfied with the point. "Even though it was England we wanted to come out and at least get a draw to set us up for what is to come, so overall we did our job," said Howard. "They came out well and there were some nerves from us. But we responded well after they scored. We know we can do that and once we calmed down and got into the flow of the game I thought we did particularly well. "It was not pretty, but defensively we did our job and I'm glad it's over. "We have talked about England for six months. There has been a lot of hype and pressure and we have got a result and put in a performance we can be proud of. Now we can concentrate on Slovenia. "We have a week to prepare and we need to get ready."
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