This June, England take on Malta and North Macedonia in a brace of Euro qualifiers and the timing of the fixtures has necessitated Gareth Southgate to look beyond the usual suspects, to the periphery of his options.

Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze has been called up for the first time, a deserved reward for an outstanding second half to his campaign that saw him improve the Eagles’ football odds almost single-handedly, while Brighton’s Lewis Dunk would have surely added to a solitary cap he received five years ago were it not for a late injury withdrawal.

It is hoped that Eze features because it is always immensely satisfying when talents from beyond the ‘big six’ enjoy international recognition. Moreover, despite excelling in the top-flight, such players typically remain under the radar, again in part due to the club they represent.

It will be a thrill seeing the 24-year-old in an England shirt. 

All of which explains the appeal of England B games, a concept that began in the late-Forties and ran intermittently for 57 matches in total, alongside full England fixtures until falling out of fashion in the mid-2000s, seemingly never to return. 

Intended by its originator Walter Winterbottom to be a stepping stone to the national side, to afford players an opportunity to get acclimatised to the demands of international football, it was in reality never wholly about that. At least, not for the fans. 

Instead, players who would ordinarily have not played for their country – despite having the attributes to do so - got to put on an England jersey and that was a gratifying sight to behold.

It was a chance to reward excellence displayed by those who perhaps were just half a level below established superstars but warranted recognition, nonetheless.

Ironically, no player better epitomised this than Steve Bruce, a defender who was surrounded by superstars at Old Trafford. 

Despite winning three Premier League titles with Manchester United in the Nineties, Bruce had the misfortune of coming to the fore at a time when the Three Lions were well-stocked with brilliant centre-backs, from Sol Campbell to Tony Adams.

The tall defender therefore consistently found himself overlooked on the international scene, remaining uncapped throughout his trophy-laden career.  

At least though there was an England B appearance, captaining them when starting out in 1987. At least there was that for a player who boasted more medals than half of the England first-team squad put together. 

Others from that era who got to represent their country for England ‘reserves’ included Gary Mabbutt, Nigel Clough and Dalian Atkinson.

Switching our attention to the present day we find an abundance of players who similarly will likely never get a call-up from Southgate but who absolutely justify international recognition all the same. 

Before we list them however, it is worth noting that the two reasons why England B games were scrapped in 2007 arguably no longer apply.

Because back then fixture congestion was a concern, and that is still the case today. But with World Cups played mid-season isn’t all betting off now regarding this? Besides, if there are international fixtures going on anyway, why not add B games to accompany them?

Moreover, it was felt in the mid-2000s that English talent was drying up, resulting from an increasing influx of foreign signings. Thankfully, that proved to be misplaced doom-mongering. 

Because in Morgan Gibbs-White, Ben Mee, Solly March, Dwight McNeil, and Dominic Solanke, England possesses a wealth of fantastic players, who have lit up the Premier League yet will probably never play alongside Kane and co at Wembley.

Bring back the England B matches we say, that most gratifying of sights.

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*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*

Over the next five to ten minutes you will read about two incredible teams, the only English sides to ever win the league, FA Cup and be crowned champions of Europe in the same season.

A legitimate attempt will be made to establish which of these achievements was the most impressive, but before we proceed, some pertinent points must be made.

First off, and most importantly, comparing these remarkable feats is like pitching the Beatles against the Stones. Brando against De Niro. 

Both Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United in 1998/99 and Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City this term managed to attain peerless perfection over nine long months, in doing so reaching a pinnacle that secures them legendary status forever more.

To pick holes in either feels redundant and petty.

Furthermore, there is a difference in eras to acknowledge. Was it more difficult to complete a treble back in the late Nineties, taking on the great teams and players from that time? Or is it significantly harder now when a colossal 89 points in needed to win the league alone? 

Bluntly speaking, it will take much longer than five to ten minutes getting to the bottom of that one.

Lastly, the initial point needs echoing for greater emphasis. These two phenomenon creations deserve to be wholly celebrated, not in any way diminished.

Still though, with both sides deriving from Manchester, and with one taking the place of the other at the summit of English football, understandably a debate has raged on social media ever since City lifted the big-eared trophy in Istanbul. 

Which treble was better?

Immediately veering from this criteria, United fans will have it that theirs was ‘purer’, by virtue of having so many academy players involved, and however much you believe this matters or not, they do have a point. 

Across their relentlessly demanding 62-game campaign in 1998/99, 18 players competed in over a quarter of their fixtures, and seven of them came up through the ranks. 

By comparison, City 61-match season had 21 players involved in 25% or more of their games, and only three were nurtured, not bought, those players being Phil Foden, Rico Lewis and Cole Palmer. 

If that is rightfully a source of sincere pride for the Reds, City’s fan-base counter with two of their own unique boasts they believe elevate their club’s treble over their rival’s.

First off, in recently beating United in the FA Cup Final theirs is a treble made all the sweeter by denying their neighbours glory along the way. 

More substantially – or perhaps not, depending on your point of view - it has additionally been pointed out that City won their treble as reigning champions of England, the insinuation being that Ferguson’s United got into the Champions League in 1998/99 through the back-door. 

This is true. Having finished runner-up in the league the previous season, United were required to enter the Champions League at an earlier juncture, beating LKS Lodz in a qualifying round.

Does this matter though? Frankly, it’s at best debatable.

Another assertion meanwhile is highly confusing, it being put forward from opposing angles by both sets of supporters.  

It is that United’s treble was infinitely more dramatic.

At face value, it’s a claim that has a good deal of merit, with their winning of the FA Cup necessitating a last-gasp decider at home to Liverpool, a tussle that subsequently led to a titanic battle with Arsenal in the semis. 

With a sending off, a missed penalty in extra-time and a late, unforgettable goal it’s a game that has become iconic. 

In the Champions League of course, there was that famous late turn-around that broke Bayern hearts and even in the league United struggled to impose sustained supremacy, taken to the wire by not only Arsenal – as City were – but also the emerging force of Chelsea.

The argument made by United fans is that such theatre makes their treble more impactful and memorable. City fans in reply point out that while 1998/99 was more entertaining for neutrals, the struggles and road-bumps by default makes it less impressive.

Yet it only gets further muddled when it is accepted that City themselves hardly enjoyed a straightforward path to three major honours. 

Like United, their route to continental glory was formidably demanding, coming up against Bayern and Inter Milan on route, as their neighbours did a quarter of a century earlier. Swap Juventus for Real Madrid and it’s pretty much a tie in the difficulty stakes. 

In the league meanwhile, the Blues’ Premier League title odds lengthened considerably heading into Spring as Arsenal consistently maintained a healthy advantage. 

Granted, their triumph wasn’t exactly a miracle that took them from crisis to silverware. Guardiola wasn’t in danger of featuring in our next Premier League manager to be sacked odds at any point.

Yet a defeat at Spurs back in February had the blue half of Manchester written off by all and sundry.

To come back from that and prevail required just as much depth of character as United displayed at Villa Park and Camp Nou. 

All of which returns us to the big talking point, the big question. Which treble was better? You already know our stance, that both were imperiously good and both deserve equal acclaim.

But though the history books will show that only two English sides have ever pulled off such a rare accomplishment, tribalism decrees that one must be greater.

Regrettably, or perhaps thankfully, an unequivocal answer will always elude us.

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*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*

The Women’s World Cup was first played in 1991. Since then, FIFA have increased the pool of teams involved and tweaked the format. 

The women’s topflight in England only became professional in the latter part of the 2010s after the women’s game was banned between 1921 and 1971. 

This century has seen immense evolution in women’s football in England and beyond. Once an afterthought in football odds, the Lionesses are now household names, with major women’s tournaments attracting huge support from around the country.

Viewing figures and women's football salaries have soared in recent years. Interest was buoyed further by hosting and winning the Euros in 2022.

In the early years of Women’s World Cup tips, England trailed far behind the world’s best. Their stock has risen over time, with increased funding for women’s teams in the domestic game.  

Let’s take a look at the history of England at the Women’s World Cup… 

England Record at the Women’s World Cup

The Lionesses failed to qualify for three of the first four Women’s World Cups, missing out in 1991, 1999 and 2003. 

We’re starting our run through with the 1995 tournament, which was held in Sweden and had the lowest average attendance of any Women’s World Cup to date.

1995 – Quarter Finals

Reaching the semi-finals of the previous European Championships qualified England for the 1995 World Cup.

Facing Canada in their first match in Group B, England took a commanding 3-0 lead, with Gillian Coultard scoring their first ever World Cup goal, but were forced to cling on in the dying embers after Canada brought it back to 3-2.

A defeat to Norway in their second match left England needing a positive result when they faced Nigeria at Arosvallen.

It was another high-scoring affair, with the game sitting at 1-1 after just 13 minutes. England had a 3-1 advantage by half-time, and again held on to win 3-2 and book their place in the knockout rounds.

The last eight brought a meeting with Germany, who had knocked England out of the Euros at the semi-final stage.

Dominating European football at this point, Germany had no problem brushing England aside with a 3-0 victory. They went on to lose the final to Norway.

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2007 – Quarter Finals

Despite changes to the qualifying process, England missed out on the 1999 and 2003 World Cups. A generation of players had come and gone by 2007.

Matched up with France, the Netherlands, Austria and Hungary, the Lionesses excelled in UEFA qualification to reach their second ever World Cup finals.

Germany, Japan and Argentina were their rivals in Group A for the tournament held in China. First up, it was a dramatic match against Japan. Kelly Smith scored twice in the last 10 minutes to put England 2-1 up, but Japan equalised deep into added time.

A goalless draw with Germany in the second match left the Lionesses under pressure for their match against Argentina.

Taking a two-goal lead inside 10 minutes, they blew the South Americans away, with Smith scoring two more in a 6-1 drubbing.

The reward was a quarter-final meeting with the USA. Heavily favoured before the match, they hammered England 3-0.

The Stars and Stripes suffered a heavy defeat themselves, however, losing to Brazil in the semi-finals.

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2011 – Quarter Finals

Again impressive during qualifying, England cruised into the 2011 World Cup. They were accompanied by Japan, Mexico and New Zealand in Group B. 

The first match saw a draw with Mexico. A late goal from Jessica Clarke secured all three points against New Zealand before the Lionesses notched a 2-0 win over Japan. 

It was the first time England had ever won their World Cup group, but their third World Cup quarter-final berth.

This time it was France waiting. England looked on course to reach their first ever semi-final when they took a second half lead, but an 88th minute goal from Les Bleues forced extra time and ultimately penalties.

France missed their first. England scored their first three. The last two English takers failed to score, though, resulting in another upsetting World Cup exit.

Minor consolation was perhaps taken by the fact that England were the only team to defeat eventual champions Japan.

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2015 – Third Place

England won every qualifying match for the 2015 World Cup. They were drawn with France, Mexico and Colombia in Group F. Their tournament started how it ended four years prior with defeat to Les Bleues. 

Just four days later, they bounced back with a 2-1 win over Mexico thanks to goals from Fran Kirby and Karen Carney.

Colombia were defeated by the same score line to cement England’s place in the knockouts as group runners up.

The streak of 2-1 victories extended to four, as Norway were seen off in the round of 16 and hosts Canada were knocked out in the quarters. 

A first ever semi-final appearance ended in defeat to Japan. The teams scored a penalty apiece in the first half, but a 92nd minute own goal secured Japan’s spot in the final.

England then defeated Germany 1-0 in extra time in the third-place playoff.

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2019 – Fourth Place

Preparation for the 2019 World Cup was disrupted by managerial changes, but England still got the job done to secure their place in France.

They were forced into an immediate rematch with Japan in the group stage, while also matching up with Scotland and Argentina.

For the first time, the Lionesses took all nine points from their three group matches. The knockout rounds started in similarly emphatic fashion, with a 3-0 win over Cameroon followed up by a victory of the same scoreline against Norway.

Just as was the case in 2015, England were knocked out in the semi-finals. The USA were the pre-tournament favourites and outplayed England on their way to a 2-1 victory. 

Two early goals saw Sweden win the third-place playoff. It was their third time claiming the final podium position at the World Cup. 

England had three ‘dared to shine’ players. Lucy Bronze won the Silver Ball, and Ellen White won the Bronze Boot after scoring six goals in 514 minutes.

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England’s Best Result At the Women’s World Cup

England enjoyed their two best tournaments at the 2015 and 2019 Women’s World Cups, reaching the semi-finals on both occasions.

They finished third in 2015 and fourth four years later. Both runs were packed with live betting drama.

The 2015 and 2019 squads included many of the best English female footballers of all-time. Neither were able to get over the semi-final hump, ending in heartbreak to Japan and the USA.

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England Women’s World Cup Goalscorers

• Ellen White – 7 Women's World Cup goals

• Fara Williams – 5 Women's World Cup goals

• Kelly Smith – 4 Women's World Cup goals

• Jill Scott – 4 Women's World Cup goals

• Lucy Bronze – 3 Women's World Cup goals

• Karen Carney – 2 Women's World Cup goals

• Gillian Coultard – 2 Women's World Cup goals

• Karen Farley – 2 Women's World Cup goals

• Jodie Taylor – 2 Women's World Cup goals

• Steph Houghton – 2 Women's World Cup goals

• Fran Kirby – 2 Women's World Cup goals

• Jessica Clarke – 1 Women's World Cup goal

• Vicky Exley – 1 Women's World Cup goal

• Marieanne Spacey – 1 Women's World Cup goal

• Nikita Parris – 1 Women's World Cup goal

• Alex Greenwood – 1 Women's World Cup goal

• Karen Walker – 1 Women's World Cup goal

• Rachel Yankey – 1 Women's World Cup goal

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Performance By Tournament

• 1991 Women's World Cup – Did not qualify

• 1995 Women's World Cup – Quarter finalists 

• 1999 Women's World Cup – Did not qualify

• 2003 Women's World Cup – Did not qualify

• 2007 Women's World Cup – Quarter finalists

• 2011 Women's World Cup - Quarter finalists

• 2015 Women's World Cup – Third place

• 2019 Women's World Cup – Fourth place

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