Capello delighted by Jermain

England boss hails striker as side triumph 4-0 against Bulgaria

By James Dall   Last updated: 4th September 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

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Fabio Capello hailed Jermain Defoe's clinical display as the striker scored a hat-trick in a 4-0 victory over Bulgaria on Friday.

Adam Johnson was also on target for the Three Lions as they got their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign off to a winning start.

Capello was delighted with Defoe's showing, as England helped restore some pride following their infamous World Cup performance.

He said: "Defoe is always very important for us. He can shoot with his left foot and his right and his performance was really, really good and his movement without the ball was fantastic."

There was a sour note on the night for England, however, after defender Michael Dawson was stretchered off with what looked like a serious knee injury.

Of the Tottenham defender's fitness, Capello said: "I have to wait to find out about Dawson. I am not a doctor. We have to wait for the tests, but no-one else had problems, only Dawson."

Capello, though, was buoyed by the performance of striker Wayne Rooney, who played a key role in all of England's goals.

"I played Rooney in a position different than usual. He did very well. I spoke with him before the game," said Capello.

"He had to stay just in front of the two central midfielders and from this position to go forward and to be free. The quality of Rooney was really high."

Capello also praised the contribution of goalkeeper Joe Hart who made two crucial stops and saved a Glen Johnson attempted clearance on the line.

The Italian added: "Hart is playing very, very well. He made two fantastic saves. He is the England keeper and he is playing very well. The most important thing was to win."

Comments (4)

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Darren Ricketts (Staines Town fan) says...

I was at the game last night and thought it was a good performance from the lads.Only concern i had was Glen Johnsons mistake nearly ending in an Own Goal. Overall great display, things can only get better.Let the manager do his job and build this new England Team and success will come. Bring on the swiss!

Posted 11:03 4th September 2010

James Cooper says...

It was a good result but they will have to beat germany by at least that amount before I get convinced that things have improved. In foot ball you are only as good as your last game.

Posted 11:01 4th September 2010

Bernard Ingram says...

Too much attention to 1 player,Defoe, or any other player for that matter,can only "score" if the rest of the team "feed him the BALL.Lets see the rest of the team praised as well. At last ,they seem to be playing as a team. Rooney"s lost his greed and consentrating on feeding the "area",good lad [this is from a NONE Rooney fan]

Posted 10:13 4th September 2010

Alex Chambers (Manchester City fan) says...

I hope all the critics will stop pecking Fabios head and let him get his team together. I have a feeling he will create a good strong team, with or without J.T or Lampard. ENGLAND to rule europe? Hopefully YES.

Posted 09:03 4th September 2010
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