SKIPPER Steven Gerrard refused to condemn Robert Green after the keeper's gaffe cost England three points in Rustenburg...
Gerrard fired the Three Lions into the lead after just four minutes as Fabio Capello's men made the perfect start in their Group C opener.
And the United States never looked like grabbing an equaliser until Green failed to hold Clint Dempsey's tame 40th-minute drive
And the United States never looked like grabbing an equaliser until Green failed to hold Clint Dempsey's tame 40th-minute drive
But Gerrard insisted the mistake would not destroy the West Ham stopper's confidence.
He said: "It was one of those freak things, I don't think you can criticise the keeper.
"People have been talking about the match ball and it is tricky.
"Rob will learn from this and he might make an important save that wins us a match.
"We're all behind him. It was a bit of shock and it took us a while to get over it."
England threw everything but the kitchen sink at the Americans after the break, only to be let down a lack of composure in front of goal.
But Gerrard refused to be downbeat about the performance with matches against Algeria and Slovenia still to come.
He added: "It was a difficult game. The most important thing in the opening game is not to lose.
"The idea was to win but unfortunately we let a poor goal in and we couldn't go and get the winner.
"The target now has to be seven points."
