Netherlands 2-2 England
Robert Green and Carlton Cole led the way for the West Ham United contingent as Fabio Capello's side battled back well in a competitive friendly in the Netherlands.
Green got the nod for the third consecutive international and turned in a competent display. He was certainly not at fault for the two Dutch strikes in the first half with mistakes from Rio Ferdinand and Gareth Barry contributing to the goals for Dirk Kuyt and Rafael van der Vaart respectively. It was a different story in the second half with Jermain Defoe soon scoring on the counter before poaching the equaliser from close range on 76 minutes - with Cole more than contributing to the comeback.
Defoe was one of six players on the pitch in the second half at the Amsterdam ArenA to have emerged from the Hammers Academy. He along with Glen Johnson, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard and Michael Carrick all spent time under the expert guidance of Tony Carr. That contingent and Green were joined by Cole in the 59th minute as a replacement for Wayne Rooney.
Cole was a constant threat on his third international appearance not least with a sublime piece of control, skill and shooting in the 69th minute with an effort that just fizzed past the post. He won several headers and had the Dutch defenders on the back-foot throughout, all in all giving Capello plenty of food for thought for next month's potentially decisive FIFA World Cup qualifier against Croatia. Matthew Upson did not get the chance to add to his 15 caps.
Former West Ham and England striker Teddy Sheringham was among those quick to praise Cole for his performance. "Carlton Cole was fantastic when he came on," he said. "He held the ball up brilliantly."