Defoe hat-trick helps to healing process with an (From The Northern Echo)

Defoe hat-trick helps to healing process with an

8:40am Saturday 4th September 2010 in

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England 4 Bulgaria 0

Defoe hat-trick helps to healing process with an REDEMPTION? Not quite.

But after a wretched World Cup in South Africa, at least England can claim a process of recovery has begun.

Jermain Defoe’s maiden international hat-trick, and a goal from second-half substitute Adam Johnson, secured a 4-0 win over Bulgaria, ensured a winning start to the qualifying campaign for Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine, and glossed over at least some of the failings that caused so much damage in the summer.

It is clearly far too early to talk of a corner being turned, but with Joe Hart excelling in his first competitive start as an international and Steven Gerrard returning to something like his best form in his preferred position at the heart of midfield, at least England’s ability to win qualifiers under Fabio Capello has not disappeared.

Whether the Italian is capable of assembling a team that can win a tournament is open to debate, but after the struggles of the summer, it would be foolish to look too far ahead at this stage.

Having negotiated a tricky opener with ease, England can travel to Switzerland for their second game with a modicum of confidence intact.

Given the events of the past few months, that was surely as much as any of us could have wished for.

With Capello having retained his position over the summer, last night’s game was never likely to mark the start of a new era. Those England supporters present in Bloemfontein’s Free State Stadium could have been forgiven for shaking their heads in disbelief at the make up of the starting side, but perhaps the final outcome will have tempered their frustration a little.

The formation remained unchanged, a formulaic 4-4-2 that was one of the key causes of England’s failure to perform in South Africa, but the vibrancy and effectiveness of the home side’s attacking was markedly different.

True, seven of the players that started June’s ill-fated defeat to Germany were present at kick off again, but England being England, the mood at the final whistle could hardly have more upbeat. Clearly, an ability to confound expectations can work both ways.

It took less than three minutes for the process of atonement to begin. Wayne Rooney, the World Cup flop to end all World Cup flops, was the instigator, chipping a delightful through ball into the path of the overlapping Ashley Cole.

The full-back’s initial shot was saved by Bulgarian goalkeeper Nikolay Mihaylov, but when the ball returned to him, he had the presence of mind to direct it back across the area.

Defoe reacted quickest, and with the visiting defence static, the Spurs striker swept a close-range volley high into the net. Not exactly a bad way to close one chapter and start the next.

In truth, last night’s game contained enough subtle nuances to suggest a longerterm development is possible.

The positioning of Gerrard was significant, with the England skipper stationed in his preferred central midfield position rather than the makeshift left-sided berth he has filled for most of his time under Capello. It was hardly a coincidence that his impact was much more pronounced as a result.

Similarly, the presence of Theo Walcott on the right flank was a positive development, with the winger providing some of the pace and attacking thrust that had been so lacking in the summer. His end product wasn’t up to the standard he has been producing for Arsenal in the early weeks of the season, but with a sustained spell in the side, the hope is that it will come.

Walcott was involved in a number of England’s most threatening attacks, although the closest the hosts came to adding to their lead before the break was a tame James Milner effort that Mihaylov saved with ease.

At the other end of the field, the most positive development was the appearance of a first-choice goalkeeper worthy of the name. Never mind that Hart’s toughest first-half save came from the boot of one of his own defenders, with Glen Johnson almost hooking Chavdar Yankov’s 20thminute cross into the corner of his own net, the 23-yearold’s poise and assurance was enough to make him a welcome addition.

His evening contained few moments of genuine alarm, but the one that arrived in the 61st minute proved the turning point of the game.

Hart had already watched Ivelin Popov flash a low 20- yard strike past his upright after Michael Dawson had misjudged the flight of an aerial ball, a mistake that proved to be his final involvement of the night.

Dawson was stretchered from the field moments later after twisting his knee - an injury that could have far-reaching repercussions for club and country - and his replacement, the previously uncapped Gary Cahill, had barely had time to collect his thoughts when Hart was called into action.

Bolton winger Martin Petrov pulled the ball back to the unmarked Popov, but the England goalkeeper produced a fine save to keep out the Litex Lovech striker’s shot.

Less than ten seconds later, and England had scored a second at the opposite end of the field.

Gerrard fed Rooney, who in turn fed Defoe, and the Spurs forward showed commendable composure to fire a precise low drive through the goalkeeper’s legs.

When Hart produced another excellent reflex stop to deny substitute Dimitar Rangelov moments later, his status as England’s new undisputed number one was confirmed. Again, the save preceded a goal, although this time there was a little more time between the events.

Adam Johnson had only been on the field for nine minutes when he cut in from the right, but the left-footed finish that beat Mihaylov was exquisite.

England had a habit of embellishing their performances with a glut of late goals during the World Cup qualifiers, and sure enough, Defoe completed his hat-trick with four minutes left.

Rooney’s driving run released the striker in the lefthand channel, and he drilled a precise low finish into the right-hand corner. With four goals in his last three England games, Defoe’s status as the preferred partner for Rooney is assured.

Matchfacts

Goals:

1-0: Defoe (3, volleyed home Cole’s cross after Mihaylov saved the fullback’s initial shot)

2-0: Defoe (61, drilled low finish through goalkeeper’s legs after deft through ball from Rooney)

3-0: A Johnson (83, cut in from right-hand side and drilled low leftfooted finish past Mihaylov)

4-0: Defoe (86, received Rooney’s through ball and fired in precise finish from left side of area)

Bookings: Popov (62, foul); Milner (90, foul)

Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary) – Enjoyed a trouble-free evening without a single contentious decision to make 6

Attendance: 73,246

Entertainment: ✰✰✰

ENGLAND (4-4-2):

8 Hart: Produced three excellent saves, with the timing of his second-half stop from Popov proving crucial

6 G Johnson: Made a number of marauding runs forward, but almost scored an embarrassing own goal

6 Dawson: Made two important first-half interceptions but suffered serious injury after the break

7 Jagielka: Produced an excellent first-half tackle to dent Bojinov and positioned himself well throughout

7 A Cole: Played a massive role in Defoe’s early opener and was a threat down the left-hand side throughout

6 Walcott: Started brightly in the opening 20 minutes, but became less and less influential as the game wore on

7 Gerrard: Looked much more comfortable in his preferred central midfield role and drove England forward

5 Barry: Doesn’t look entirely happy in the holding role and might have been exposed by a better set of opponents

6 Milner: Delivered a range of well-judged passes from the left, but predictably always wants to cut in

7 Rooney: Had a hand in all three of Defoe’s goals and, while he didn’t look scoring, could be satisfied with his night

9 DEFOE: Took all three of his goals superbly and has settled the debate about who should partner Rooney for a while

Subs:

Cahill (for Dawson 56): Was rarely tested, but didn’t do much wrong on his international debut 6

A Johnson (for Walcott 74)

Young (for Defoe 87)

(not used): Foster (gk), Gibbs, Carrick, Bent.

BULGARIA (4-4-2): Mihaylov 5; Manolev 5 (Minev 66, 4), I Stoyanov 5, Ivanov 4, Milanov 4; Yankov 5, S Petrov 5, Angelov 4, M Petrov 5; POPOV 6, Bojinov 5 (Rangelov 63, 5). Subs (not used): V Stoyanov (gk), Peev, Kamburon, Genchev, Domovchiyski.

MAN OF THE MATCH

JERMAIN Defoe – Scored England’s first hat-trick since Theo Walcott’s treble in Croatia and can expect to start all of his side’s qualifiers if fit.