Play to the whistle.

Everyone who has played football at any level will have been told by teachers, coaches, managers, parents and well meaning spectators to "Play to the whistle." Yet last night we saw top English players stop and the result was not just a goal, but a winning goal.

When Jagielka was dumped on the turf by Janssen several English players stopped and appealed. The worst offender was the keeper, Forster. He stood at the near post with his arms raised, totally losing his concentration, and when Janssen crossed the ball, he was badly out of position to make any attempt at a save.

I think most of the watchers will have considered it a foul, and Hoddle on TV said that if it had been at the other end it would have been a penalty. You just hope decisions like that don't happen in the summer tournament. But if they do, please play to the whistle.

A simple and basic rule of thumb, Abbo, surprising that football professionals playing at the highest level would be so clueless as the clock wound down.