09 March 2020

England boss Phil Neville slams 'lack of respect' for Ellen White after she hits winner against Japan

England manager Phil Neville has hit out at the 'lack of respect' striker Ellen White received in the build-up to his side's 1-0 victory over Japan in the SheBelieves Cup.

White came off the bench to score the only goal of the game seven minutes from time and help the Lionesses to bounce back from the defeat to USA in their opening match of the tournament.

Neville suggested White had been treated unfairly by some supporters who were calling for Chelsea forward Beth England to start as the focal point of the attack.

He said: "She [White] is one of the best strikers in the world.

"What has been disrespectful over the last days has been the lack of respect shown to Ellen White, for what she has achieved over the last eight months.

"I think she has set the bar really high for everybody else to challenge her. [Sunday] showed what Ellen White is all about - one chance, one goal."

England started in place of White against Japan after coming on as a substitute in their defeat to the US on Thursday.

White was the joint top scorer at the World Cup last summer with six goals, something fellow England striker Harry Kane also achieved 12 months earlier in the men's competition.

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