England 4 - 0 Bulgaria
Defoe 3’, 61’, 86’
A Johnson 83’
England came into this game knowing that they had to not only win back the England fans’ faith, but also win back faith in themselves after a forgettable World Cup summer. The New Wembley definitely seems to have turned itself into England’s home – bad atmosphere or not – with this victory bringing an 11th consecutive England home win, a new record no less.
With Capello still trying to bring a new look to the England team, there were plenty of fresh faces that had not gone (or if they had gone, not played much part) to South Africa, with the team-sheet reading as follows; GK- Joe Hart, RB- Glen Johnson, CB- Phil Jagielka, CB- Michael Dawson, LB- Ashley Cole, RWF- Theo Walcott, CM- Gareth Barry, CM- Steven Gerrard (C), LWF- James Milner, SS- Wayne Rooney, CF- Jermain Defoe. This team included the youngest centre back pairing that England has seen in many years, ageing at 54 between them. With John Terry and Ferdinand out injured though, they were not the main surprises in the line-up. That honour went instead to Jermain Defoe, who was about to prove any of his or Fabio Capello’s critics highly mistaken.
The England side, in yet another new kit, looked the part as a good 8 of them saw fit to sing the national anthem, showing at least some of them have some national pride when it comes to representing their country at such a high level with so much attention put on them.
It did not take them long to show that they were the business as well with Defoe – whose role of playing off the last defender allowed Rooney a more free, play-making role in between the Bulgarian midfield and defence – scoring in the 3rd minute after Rooney’s chipped through ball found an advanced Ashley Cole, whose shot was denied by Mihailov but rebounded straight out to him. He looked up, seeing Defoe and crossed to him for Defoe to put England ahead at ease.
Unfortunately there were a few wild challenges that went in throughout the game; Gerrard was the first victim, his shin-pad saving him following a studs up tackle that went unpunished. New Man City signing James Milner also took a worryingly intention looking elbow from the Bulgarian right-back as he attacked the by-line, again no card was given but if judged differently the winger could have been given his marching orders. The worst of all however, did not manifest itself from a bad tackle, but when Michael Dawson’s left knee buckled underneath him in the 56th minute, it was clear it was going to end in him being stretchered from the field. This duly happened and will worry Harry Redknapp to no end, especially when Jermain Defoe – who had cancelled a groin operation to play – pulled up after his last goal. A worry Redknapp could do without as Tottenham attempt to juggle the Premier and Champions League for the first time in their history.
The Bulgarian’s, whilst coming back into the game, were constantly under threat from England’s main problem-causers’; Gerrard, Rooney through the middle and Walcott and Cole on the flanks. Walcott fresh from his superb start to the League season, had a shot go wide and a cut back cross go un-received. He also managed to beat two men and have an acute chip palmed over by Mihailov and from the following corner whipped in a low cross that the Bulgarian stopper awkwardly grabbed. On the opposite wing, Milner similarly cut in and had a scathing shot deflected just wide 5 minutes short of half time. At the other end, Glen Johnson almost managed to put through his own net after 20 minutes as a mis-kick from a cross fortunately made its way safely to Joe Hart.
The crisp, sharp and mostly entertaining football that England were providing the 73,200 that had assembled in the stands. With Rooney working the hardest he has in a long time and Gerrard creating masterfully, they deserved a second goal, one that did not come about before the half time whistle.
If anyone had been accusing England of slightly slowing down their tempo following the goal, they certainly started to re-apply the pace after the break. They nearly struck as early as they had in the first half, with Defoe winning a good knockdown to Rooney, who proceeded forth with the ball at his feet and attempted an audacious chip that had the keeper scrambling back to push it over the bar.
To say that this match was one sided would be a fair description, but the duo of Popov and ex-Man City striker Valeri Bojinov provided the England back-line with a couple of probing questions. Popov crept in behind after a long goal-kick went over Dawson and aimed his shot wide. Five minutes later, on the hour, Hart was forced into a good save from Martin Petrov after a Bulgarian corner. Hart then sprung the ball forward and the resulting counter-attack culminated in Rooney – with Defoe to his left and Walcott to his right – slid in Defoe who in-turn slid under Mihailov to double his – and England’s – tally.
A wide Steven Gerrard free-kick almost unlocked the Bulgarian defence again, but the ball resisted to find any touches and instead went just past the outside of the post. Hart then pulled off his best save of the match, employing the classic starfish position to his advantage to deny the Bulgarian’s. Gary Cahill – who had replaced Dawson after his injury - then deflected the 25 yard effort that occurred as a result of Hart’s save.
With 15 minutes remaining in the match, Theo Walcott was replaced by Man City’s young superstar, Adam Johnson. Walcott now has 13 international appearances to his name and has been on the winning side in all of those, England’s lucky charm perhaps? Or simply the sign of a player that has never made a World Cup or European Championships showing for his country. After Gerrard had a 25 yard blast palmed narrowly out of the path of Jermain Defoe as he closed in on the rebound.
In the 81st minute, Adam Johnson managed to curl a shot narrowly wide with his left foot after another attack laid on from a good Rooney pass. Two minutes later a similar such chance presented itself to Johnson after Rooney and Defoe had stretched the defence with a quick switch from left to right, Johnson once again cut in and smashed near post.
The icing was put on the cake when Defoe finalised his hat-trcik with a good counter attack, spearheaded by United’s talisman once more, he played Defoe in for a brilliant cross goal finish with his left foot. This was the unfortunate moment Defoe felt pain in his leg, and replays showed an awkward stretch of his ankle. He could play no further part, nor did he need to and was quickly replaced by Ashley Young.
The final whistle blew on a successful England showing, one that will somewhat make up for recent matches, the Wembley crowd seemed highly satiated as they departed the stands. This will lead, no doubt, to much bigger hype surrounding their next match - a visit to Switzerland on Tuesday night – to see whether they can repeat such victory against a team of slightly higher standing than the one that ranks in between Scotland and Burkina Faso under FIFA’s rating system.
Other International Scores
Group A
Belgium 0 - 1 Germany
Klose 51'
Kazakhstan 0 - 3 Turkey
Arda Turan 24'
Hamit Altintop 26'
Nihat 76'
Group B
Andorra 0 - 2 Russia
Pogrebnyak 14', 64'(pen)
Armenia 0 - 1 Republic of Ireland
Fahey 76'
Slovakia 1 - 0 FYR Macedonia
Holosko 90'
Group C
Estonia 1 - 2 Italy
Zenjov 29' Cassano 59'
Bonucci 62'
Faroe Islands 0 - 3 Serbia
Lazovic 13'
Stankovic 18'
Zigic 90'
Slovenia 0 - 1 Northern Ireland
C. Evans 70'
Group D
Luxembourg 0 - 3 Bosnia
Ibricic 6'
Pjanic 12'
Zigic 15'
Romania 1 - 1 Albania
Stancu 80' Muzaka 88'
France 0 - 1 Belarus
Kisliak 86'
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