June 16, 2006

Horse 567 - Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

"We are like dwarfs on the shoulders of giants, so that we can see more than they, and things at a greater distance, not by virtue of any sharpness on sight on our part, or any physical distinction, but because we are carried high and raised up by their giant size"
John of Salisbury - 1159

This phrase "Standing on the shoulders of giants" is seen every day by just about everyone in the UK, for it is borne around the edge of the £2 coin. Attributed to Issac Newton it is obviously much older than that as stated above. Though yesterday it was not England standing on the shoulders of giants but rather jubilation as a football was driven into the back of the net by the head of one.

It is often said that an international fixture will often make players rise to the occasion but for Peter Crouch who stands 6'7" tall, his gangly frame hardly needs to. Ungainly and looking decidedly unco at times, he scares defences. When Wayne Rooney was brought on in the 58th minute with the scores still deadlocked at 0-0, Trinidad forgot to fear about Crouch and concentrated on Rooney - big mistake.

Crouch's downwards driven header from a Beckham cross gave England the lead and hopes of the next round. Gerrards 90th minute strike sealed Trinidad's fate and now they must beat Paraguay and wait for other results if they are to go through.

But for one day at least, England was carried not on the shoulders of giants but the head of their own gentle giant.

England 2
Crouch (83)
Gerrard (90)

Trinidad & Tobago 0

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