England Play Out 0-0 Draw Against Ukraine To Remain Top Of World Cup …

England secured a difficult 0-0 draw against Ukraine at the Olympic stadium in Kyiv on Tuesday night to maintain the team’s push towards automatic qualification for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

With only Ricky Lambert available as a recognised centre forward, Roy Hodgson picked a makeshift forward line of Lambert flanked by Theo Walcott and James Milner, bolstered by a sturdy midfield marshalled by Gerrard and Lampard, the latter winning his 100th cap. Jack Wilshere provided what little forward momentum the England midfield were able to build on the night.

A game shorn of genuine clear-cut chances, Ukraine had the better of the match, probing at England’s steadfast defence, with Hart making up for some early unease with a solid displays between the posts. When Hart did show uncertainty, the combination of Phil Jagielka and Gary Cahill ensured the the England goal remained untroubled.

Despite the workmanlike performance, the draw means that England remain top of the group with two home games to play, followed closely by Ukraine and Montenegro.

Loading Slideshow

  • Edmar of Ukraine, top right, vies for the ball with Kyle Walker of England, top left, during the World Cup group H qualifier soccer match between Ukraine and England at the Olympiyskiy national stadium in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

  • Soccer – FIFA World Cup Qualifying – Group H – Ukraine v England – Olympic Stadium

    England’s Ashley Cole (left) and Ukraine’s Andriy Yarmolenko (right) battle for the ball

  • Soccer – FIFA World Cup Qualifying – Group H – Ukraine v England – Olympic Stadium

    England’s Theo Walcott (left) takes a tumble after a challenge from Ukraine’s Olexander Kucher (left)

  • Kyle Walker, Oleh Husyev

    England’s Kyle Walker, center, vies for the ball with Ukraine’s Oleh Husyev, left, during their Group H 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match at the Olympiyskiy national stadium in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Sergei Chuzavkov)

  • Theo Walcott of England, right, vies for the ball with Olexandr Kucher of Ukraine during the World Cup group H qualifier soccer match between England and Ukraine at the Olympiyskiy national stadium in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

  • Soccer – FIFA World Cup Qualifying – Group H – Ukraine v England – Olympic Stadium

    England’s Phil Jagielka (right) and Ukraine’s goalkeeper Andrei Pyatov (left) battle for the ball

  • England’s goalkeeper Joe Hart punches the ball away during the World Cup group H qualifier soccer match between England and Ukraine at the Olympiyskiy national stadium in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Sergei Chuzavkov)

  • England’s Steven Gerrard, left, attempts a shot on goal during the World Cup qualifier group H soccer match between England and Ukraine at the Olympiyskiy national stadium in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

  • Soccer – FIFA World Cup Qualifying – Group H – Ukraine v England – Olympic Stadium

    England’s James Milner (left) and Ukraine’s Yevhen Khacheridi (right) battle for the ball

  • Soccer – FIFA World Cup Qualifying – Group H – Ukraine v England – Olympic Stadium

    England’s Rickie Lambert (right) and Ukraine’s De Lacerda Edmar battle for the ball

  • Frank Lampard

    England’s Frank Lampard, right, attempts a shot on goal during the World Cup qualifier group H soccer match between England and Ukraine at the Olympiyskiy national stadium in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013.(AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

  • Soccer – FIFA World Cup Qualifying – Group H – Ukraine v England – Olympic Stadium

    Ukraine’s Olexander Kucher (back) and England’s Theo Walcott (front) battle for the ball

  • Steven Gerrard, Oleh Gusev

    England’s Steven Gerrard, left, vies for the ball with Ukraine’s Oleh Gusev during the World Cup group H qualifier soccer match between England and Ukraine at the Olympiyskiy national stadium in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013.(AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

  • Soccer – FIFA World Cup Qualifying – Group H – Ukraine v England – Olympic Stadium

    Ukraine’s Olexander Kucher (back) and England’s Theo Walcott (front) battle for the ball

  • Soccer – FIFA World Cup Qualifying – Group H – Ukraine v England – Olympic Stadium

    Ukraine’s Olexander Kucher (back) and England’s Theo Walcott (front) battle for the ball

  • Rickie Lambert, Yevhen Khacheridi

    England’s Rickie Lambert, left, vies for the ball with Ukraine’s Yevhen Khacheridi during their group H 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match at the Olympiyskiy national stadium in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Sergei Chuzavkov)

  • Steven Gerrard of England, left, vies for the ball with Oleh Gusev of Ukraine during the World Cup group H qualifier soccer match between England and Ukraine at the Olympiyskiy national stadium in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

  • Soccer – FIFA World Cup Qualifying – Group H – Ukraine v England – Olympic Stadium

    England’s Gary Cahill (right) and Ukraine’s Olexandr Kucher (centre) battle for the ball

  • England’s Rickie Lambert, left, vies for the ball with Ukraine’s Yevhen Khacheridi during their group H 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match at the Olympiyskiy national stadium in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Sergei Chuzavkov)

  • Soccer – FIFA World Cup Qualifying – Group H – Ukraine v England – Olympic Stadium

    England’s Jack Wilshere (left) and Ukraine’s Andriy Yarmolenko (centre) battle for the ball

  • Soccer – FIFA World Cup Qualifying – Group H – Ukraine v England – Olympic Stadium

    England’s Theo Walcott after being treated for an injury

  • Soccer – FIFA World Cup Qualifying – Group H – Ukraine v England – Olympic Stadium

    England’s Gary Cahill (left) and Ukraine’s De Lacerda Edmar battle for the ball

  • Soccer – FIFA World Cup Qualifying – Group H – Ukraine v England – Olympic Stadium

    England manager Roy Hodgson (right) in the dugout