ONE swallow, as Glenn Hoddle noted last week, does not make a summer. But two in the space of four days brings a feeling of an imminent blossoming spring.
And after showing real qualities of both grasp and class to hand France their first home defeat in four years in Montpellier on Saturday, Hoddle and his England troops head for a Paris showdown with world champions Brazil tomorrow with a sense of real belief.
Where the World Cup win in Poland was vital, and the victory over Italy an unexpectedly comprehensive pleasure, the manner of the performance in the Stade de la Mosson gave an insight into what Hoddle is building.
Perhaps there was less flair than had been displayed in Nantes but this was, unquestionably a "real" match, England at times fearing they were playing France, the crowd and the French-speaking Moroccan referee.
But England carved out the game's real openings and then capitalised - through Alan Shearer of course - on Fabien Bartliez's one slip to earn a first away win against the French since 1949.
Within minutes of being reunited with Teddy Sheringham, on for Ian Wright, the skipper opened up the French left with an 86th minute ball to the substitute and when a slight deflection of Bixent Lizarazu distracted Bartez, Shearer accepted the gift.
