Pressure is nothing new for us to handle says defender Jamie

Jamie Carragher accepts England will be under pressure for the finale to their World Cup group against Slovenia in 10 days time if they fail to overcome Algeria on Friday.

The Liverpool defender insists sharing the spoils with the United States in their opening clash last night in Rustenburg was "not a disaster."

But Carragher, a half-time substitution for the injured Ledley King, knows the importance of not suffering a similar slip-up in Cape Town when they tackle the Algerians.

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When asked if the players were now feeling under pressure, Carragher said: "The lads play for top clubs in top competitions and it's always pressure playing for your club and playing for England.

"I don't think we are at that stage yet. If the next result doesn't go for us, then for the last game there will be a bit more pressure.

"A draw is not a disaster in your first game. Obviously you want to win it but it is very important not to lose as well.

"We would have liked to have got the three points but the first game in tournament football is always very difficult.

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"It has proved that in the past and it has proved it again. There are still two more games to go.

"It was not a one-off game. It is the group stages and the aim is to get through in the top two."

Carragher was disappointed England failed to capitalise on the early lead given them by captain and Reds team-mate Steven Gerrard. But he insists all the players have sympathy with goalkeeper Robert Green after his error gifted Fulham's Clint Dempsey an equaliser.

Carragher said: "When you get a good start like we had, you are disappointed to give the lead away. We also had the better chances in the second half to win it but that's the way it goes sometimes.

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"You feel for Robert Green. We've all been playing football a long time. We've all made big mistakes. Everyone of the players on the pitch has made a mistake like that.

"Everyone knows what he is going through. We will all get behind him because it is a team thing, a squad thing."

Carragher gave his backing to coach Fabio Capello who brought off out of sorts James Milner after only half an hour and then was forced to take off King.

He said: "Ledley had a knock so that's why he came off. I am not sure why James Milner came off, maybe something to do with the yellow card he had just picked up. That is what the manager is there for. He is a top manager and he is paid to make decisions and that is what he has done."

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England team-mate Emile Heskey believes England have to be more clinical in front of goal after their stuttering start.

Heskey set up the opening goal for Gerrard and performed well in the holding role but he also missed a glorious chance to seal the win for England.

"It was disappointing that we didn't take the opportunities," he said. "With my chance in the second half, the keeper stood up quite well.

"I just tried to get as much power behind it as possible because these balls do move around.

"He has done well but he is lucky it has caught him right in the midriff."