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England dominated their FIFA World Cup™ qualifying match against San Marino,
with six different English goalscorers contributing to the victory. It
was the first time the Three Lions had struck eight since 1987.
Jermain Defoe scored twice to head a lengthy list of scorers that also included Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney and substitute Daniel Sturridge,
who netted his first international goal. Until Montenegro managed a
goal in Chisinau, 11 minutes from the end of their meeting with Moldova,
it looked like being one of the best days Hodgson has had since
replacing Fabio Capello last May.
But Mirko Vucinic's effort means England
remain two points behind Montenegro as they set off for Tuesday's FIFA
World Cup assignment in Podgorica, although with 20 goals from their
five games so far, Hodgson's men are unquestionably the most
entertaining team in Group H.
Although Joe Hart
was actually the first goalkeeper to touch the ball, neither Chris
Smalling nor Joleon Lescott were extended in central defence, where
their task seemed simply to ferry the ball towards a wide area, or prod
Lampard or Tom Cleverley into a forward burst from midfield.
It was undeniable England
approached their task with a clarity of purpose far advanced from the
reverse fixture at Wembley. There was almost too much movement at times,
so eager were the white shirts to exploit lack of concentration in home
ranks.
The pace of Young and
Oxlade-Chamberlain on the wings was used in short bursts, Defoe and
Rooney dropped deep to present the home defence with a different problem
to solve and after San Marino had been opened up once, goals arrived at regular intervals.
England did not require the assistance provided by Alessandro Della Valle, but they accepted it anyway as the defender turned Leighton Baines' 12th-minute cross into his own net, with Rooney offering only token pressure.
Rooney plays a part
Rooney had a more significant involvement in England's second, providing the return pass for Oxlade-Chamberlain, who belted home as the home defence opened up. The Arsenal winger only started due to the injury club colleague Theo Walcott sustained in training last night.
Rooney had a more significant involvement in England's second, providing the return pass for Oxlade-Chamberlain, who belted home as the home defence opened up. The Arsenal winger only started due to the injury club colleague Theo Walcott sustained in training last night.
But he was clearly eager to make the
most of his opportunity, as was Defoe, who had unluckily seen one
close-range effort ruled out for offside before he turned home another a
couple of minutes later.
Young blasted
home number four off the underside of the bar before Lampard, made
skipper in the absence of rested Steven Gerrard, netted his 28th
international goal, taking him into the all-time top 10.
It completed England's heaviest first-half goals haul since they put five past Luxembourg in 1999.
That
situation lasted only eight minutes of the second period as the
Manchester United man netted his 34th international goal with a
magnificent curling free-kick.
Sturridge
replaced Rooney almost immediately afterwards. And after wasting a
golden chance to score his first international goal within seconds of
his arrival, the Liverpool striker finally managed it when he turned
home Young's far-post cross 20 minutes from time.
Defoe rounded off the rout, meaning England
did not reach double figures and were forced to settle for a repeat of
the score by which they demolished Turkey at Wembley 26 years ago.
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