A Jermain Defoe hat-trick and a first international goal for Adam Johnson defeated Bulgaria 4-0 in England's first Euro 2012 qualifier.
Spurs striker notches hat-trick as England down Bulgaria 4-0 in Group G
England went some way to ridding themselves of their World Cup 2010 hangover and also silencing manager Fabio Capello's critics as Jermain Defoe's hat-trick helped slay Bulgaria in the Three Lions' first Euro 2012 qualifier.
Defoe was paired up front with strike partner Wayne Rooney in a 4-4-2 formation, a decision condemned by some, but the Tottenham Hotspur forward made an instant impact after just three minutes at Wembley as he lashed home in clinical fashion.
And Rooney, guilty of a poor South Africa, was again key in the second goal of the match as England counter-attacked well with the Manchester United man sliding in Defoe, who made no mistake as he rolled a finish under goalkeeper Nikolay Mihaylov.
Adam Johnson then grabbed his first England goal, Rooney the provider once more, before Defoe's hat-trick was sealed, the Spurs player slotting in with aplomb, although sustaining an injury in the process on a night which also saw Michael Dawson stretchered off.
Nonetheless, the winning start to Group G was just what the doctor ordered for Capello and his side, who travel to Switzerland next Tuesday.
Have a Hart
Aside from Defoe's obvious match-winning contribution, Joe Hart was outstanding and James Milner looked far more comfortable on the left flank than he did in South Africa.
It will also have pleased him that a substitute, Adam Johnson, scored England's third goal and broke his own international duck on his third appearance.
In claiming he has been built up into a god or a monster by the media, depending on results, Capello also knows his aura of infallibly has been stripped away.
The brutal truth is that from now until such time as England are lining up for their opening match of the European Championship in either Poland or the Ukraine, every success will be met with some scepticism.
Defoe scored after three minutes. Of course, England scored with similar speed in their opening World Cup game against the United States. They did not win it.
The Three Lions played with verve and panache at times and thoroughly deserved their victory. Then again, they did that nine times in 10 qualifying games under Capello to reach the World Cup. What good did it do them thereafter?
Questions will be asked at every turn. We know Capello is a good coach. It will take him a long while to prove he is a good England coach.
Still, while there are grounds for optimism, the Italian is perfectly entitled to stand on them.
He may have selected seven of the side chiefly responsible for the debacle against Germany in Bloemfontein, but there was a definite freshness about his team.
Two of the four who had no part in the Germany match, Hart and Walcott, were among the better performers.
Frank Lampard and John Terry, who both pulled out through injury, and Rio Ferdinand, who was never in contention, were not missed at all.
England could not have made a better start.
Rooney's pass released Ashley Cole whose initial shot was parried by Nikolay Mihaylov.
The Chelsea man was on to the rebound in a flash and when he turned it back for Defoe, the player who by rights should now be recovering from groin surgery provided an excellent first-time finish.
Walcott's pace caused Bulgaria huge difficulties during a frantic English attacking display. James Milner had a shot deflected wide and Defoe just failed to connect with a low Walcott cross.
Nearly-gaffe
The only time England found themselves in trouble was their own fault, when Glen Johnson's attempt to turn Ivelin Popov's cross away for a corner instead threatened a horrendous own goal until Hart plunged across to his right to make a vital save.
Rooney is still struggling to find his touch and at times looked well off the pace.
But a sublime chip five minutes into the second half was a reminder of the talent he possesses and Mihaylov needed to make a fingertip save to deny the Manchester United man.
Three direct assists are not to be sniffed at either, even if his international goal drought now extends to 11 games.
Dawson's horrible injury followed. Slow motion replays showed the defender's left knee buckling under him.
As he was carried off in obvious pain, it was hard to avoid the conclusion that he will not be back on a football pitch again for some considerable time, which is heartbreaking for him, and devastating for Harry Redknapp given his opportunity to bring in a replacement ended three days ago.
There followed a pivotal 15 seconds, which started with an excellent Hart reaction save to repel Martin Petrov.
England countered immediately and a flowing move involving Gareth Barry, Steven Gerrard and Rooney ended with Defoe firing through Mihaylov's legs.
Adam Johnson's strike eased England further clear and paved the way for Defoe to complete his momentous three-timer four minutes from time.
The Tottenham striker suffered some kind of twinge as he sealed the trio of goals and was immediately replaced by Ashley Young.
Capello was left to hope the recovery will be swift, and Defoe confirmed within minutes of the final whistle that he will be ready to face the Swiss.
| England |
Team Statistics |
Bulgaria |
| 4 |
Goals |
0 |
| 1 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 8 |
Shots on Target |
2 |
| 5 |
Shots off Target |
3 |
| 1 |
Blocked Shots |
3 |
| 8 |
Corners |
2 |
| 12 |
Fouls |
9 |
| 2 |
Offsides |
5 |
| 1 |
Yellow Cards |
1 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 87.4 |
Passing Success |
79.6 |
| 17 |
Tackles |
16 |
| 88.2 |
Tackles Success |
81.2 |
| 59.8 |
Possession |
40.2 |
| 50.2 |
Territorial Advantage |
49.8 |
|
