Rooney leads clinical England win

Sofia, Bulgaria: Fortunately for Fabio Capello, the new England team was rather easier on the eye than the new England kit, the dark blue shirts and powder-blue shorts looking awful.

But the side played in a manner that looked like a significant step forward for their Italian manager.

It was the first competitive game since that World Cup quarter-final encounter with Brazil nine years ago that England had started without either Steven Gerrard or Frank Lampard. Lampard found himself on the bench until well into the second half, and it is probably where he will stay if Capello now sees this as the way forward.

With Scott Parker and Gareth Barry deployed as a shield for the back four, Capello opted for what amounted to an exciting four-man attack with Wayne Rooney supported by Ashley Young, Theo Walcott and Stewart Downing.

After a slow start on poor pitch England dismantled their hosts with an impressive display of clinical attacking that propelled them clear at the top of qualifying Group G.

They were three up by half-time, Gary Cahill marking his fourth cap with his first goal before Rooney used the now well-covered head to score one before using his left foot to score another seconds before the interval.

‘Like Germany'

True, Bulgaria weren't very good. Lothar Matthaus must have been embarrassed by their ineptitude when it came to defending set-pieces, as he must have been by his declaration prior to this match that his team would play "like Germany".

Only England operated at those kind of standards. By the 62nd minute Capello even felt he could make changes with Tuesday's encounter with Wales in mind, replacing Young with James Milner.Ƞ

Deploying Young through the middle, behind Rooney, amounted to something of a surprise when it is on the left wing that he has excelled for Manchester United so far this season. But the decision is thought to have been based on Downing's performances in training, his confidence lifted by his move to Liverpool.

Decision justified

Young did well, even if Capello seemed unhappy with the contribution his players made in the openingȠten minutes. But his mood improved when Cahill opened the scoring. It even justified the manager's decision to go with the Bolton defender ahead of United teenager Phil Jones.

After Barry seized on Young's half-cleared corner with a diagonal ball back into the box, Cahill first controlled on his chest before prodding his shot beyond the advancing Nikolay Mihaylov.

On this pitch, in what amounted to a fairly hostile atmosphere marred by some disgraceful monkey chants, it was most welcome, just what England needed after that stuttering 2-2 draw with Switzerland back in June.

Capello remained an animated figure in the technical area. It was only when Rooney scored England's second in the 23rd minute that he started to relax. It was the product of another corner, Rooney rising athletically in front of Terry to meet Downing's corner with a super header.

Rooney's second goal, shortly before the break, came when he met an excellent ball from YoungϠwith a simple finish at the far post.

After the interval it was all about protecting the lead. England might have scored again through Walcott but it mattered not.

It remained a job well done this young, rejuvenated team.

— Daily Mail