Howard Wilkinson insisted last night that England's destruction by world champions France had not put him off the job as full-time national coach. Two goals from Arsenal's Nicolas Anelka in a fabulous second-half performance gave the French a deserved win and an historic first victory at Wembley.
Wilkinson, who stepped in as caretaker-coach following Glenn Hoddle's sacking just eight days ago, said: "My appetite for coaching football and working with teams has never diminished. With honesty, I've still not had time to seriously think about it. It was difficult to enjoy the occasion because of the result, but I can think of worse places to be on a Wednesday night. After tomorrow morning, when I've had some kip, I'll think about things."
England learned a painful lesson as the French contained them in the first half and showed attacking creativity in the second through Zinedine Zidane and top-class finishing by Anelka.
Anelka opened the scoring after 69 minutes when he fired past England's substitute goalkeeper Nigel Martyn after Lilian Thuram and Zidane scythed open the England defence.
Eight minutes later he scored again when he raced between two defenders to touch-in a Christophe Dugarry cross after more good work by Zidane.
Anelka had earlier gone close to scoring when he cracked a powerful shot against the bar which bounced down on the line before being cleared.
France, starting with eight of the side who won the World Cup final last summer, are now unbeaten in 17 matches since March of last year.
Wilkinson was mystified by England's demoralising deterioration after a first half in which England enjoyed the best chances he was full of praise for a superb French performance. "Their movement and passing was very good. They get from box to box so quickly and Zidane is an exceptional player," he said.
England: Seaman (Martyn 46), Dixon (Ferdinand 72), Le Saux, Ince, Adams, Keown (Wilcox 85), Beckham, Redknapp (Scholes 85), Shearer, Owen (Cole 66), Anderton. Subs Not Used: Winterburn, Fowler.
France: Barthez, Thuram, Blanc (Leboeuf 46), Desailly, Lizarazu, Deschamps (Candela 90), Petit, Zidane, Djorkaeff (Vieira 83), Pires (Dugarry 46), Anelka (Wiltord 83). Subs Not Used: Porato, Boghossian. Goals: Anelka 69, 76.
Referee: H Crug (Germany).
