England 4-0 Bulgaria
Published 21:58 03/09/10 By MirrorFootball
Jermain Defoe relieved some of the gloom after England's dismal World Cup by netting a hat-trick in the 4-0 victory over Bulgaria in the opening Euro 2012 qualifier at Wembley.
The Tottenham striker lifted the 73,000 crowd by netting after only three minutes and added a second just after the hour mark.
Substitute Adam Johnson made sure of the points in the 83rd minute before Defoe completed his treble four minutes from time. Wayne Rooney helped to set up all four goals.
Michael Dawson was handed his first start for England in tonight's Euro 2012 qualifier with Bulgaria at Wembley.
The Tottenham central defender was preferred to Matthew Upson and partnered Everton's Phil Jagielka, who had recovered from the ankle injury suffered against Aston Villa last weekend.
Dawson's only previous appearance for his country was as a second-half substitute in the friendly international against Hungary last month.
Jagielka and goalkeeper Joe Hart were making their first competitive starts as England looked to start putting their disastrous World Cup campaign behind them.
Hart's inclusion meant his first club, Shrewsbury, were £500,000 better off as part of the deal which saw him sign for Manchester City.
Fabio Capello still included seven of the side beaten 4-1 by Germany in the last 16 World Cup meeting in Bloemfontein.
Included in the Bulgaria line-up were the English-based duo of Stiliyan Petrov and Martin Petrov, who play for Aston Villa and Bolton, respectively.
England got off to a dream start with Jermain Defoe putting them ahead after only three minutes.
Wayne Rooney held the ball up before picking out the run of Ashley Cole with his floated pass over the Bulgaria defence.
His first-time shot was blocked by Bulgarian keeper Nikolay Mihaylov but the Chelsea defender was able to play the loose ball across the six yard box - and Defoe did the rest.
It was the Tottenham striker's 13th goal for his country in his 44th appearance and just the tonic needed after the World Cup nightmare.
England looked full of confidence and skipper Steven Gerrard's pass found Theo Walcott in space but, after cutting inside, he dragged his shot a couple of yards wide.
A lofted chip from Gerrard deep in his own half nearly put Defoe in the clear but it skidded away off the surface.
Dawson was called into meaningful action for the first time in heading away a threatening ball from Ivan Ivanov intended for Valeri Bojinov.
Walcott was looking lively and saw one probing cross cut out by Stanislav Angelov after exchanging passes with Glen Johnson.
Joe Hart made his first save after 20 minutes when he kept out an attempt from team-mate Glen Johnson.
He directed a cross from Bozhinov towards his own goal instead of behind for a corner.
Jagielka earned applause for a well-timed tackle on Bozhinov inside the box after he had seized onto Ivelin Popov's pass.
Rooney was still looking as if he was lacking in full sharpness, with his touch leaving a lot to be desired.
James Milner tried his luck from 25 yards out but his low drive did not seriously extend Mihaylov.
But Bulgaria had settled down after conceding the early goal, although they were not posing much of an attacking threat.
Mihaylov took no chances in turning a cross from Walcott over his crossbar after more trickery from the Arsenal winger.
England enjoyed the bulk of possession and were able to stroke the ball around with assurance on a surface immeasurably better than they had encountered last season.
Ashley Cole got forward to good effect but over-hit his return pass to Rooney.
The England fans were in sufficient good humour to participate in a Mexican wave around the stadium.
Milner took advantage of some indecision by Stanislav Manolev to move forward but tried to find Defoe rather than the better-placed Rooney and the opportunity fizzled out.
Milner then swerved a shot across the face of goal and Mihaylov did well to hang onto a low centre from Walcott under pressure from Defoe.
Walcott conceded a free-kick early in the second period after bringing down Zhivko Milanov but the centre from Martin Petrov was headed clear by Jagielka.
There was a flash of Rooney at his best when he attempted an audacious chip from just outside the box which was finger-tipped over by Mihaylov.
But England had a let-off after 53 minutes when Popov's low drive beat the dive of Hart but flashed just past the far post after he had been played in by Bojinov.
England were forced into a substitution two minutes later when Dawson fell awkwardly on his left knee after a challenge from Popov.
He looked in considerable pain when being stretchered off and was replaced by debutant, Gary Cahill.
Hart came to England's rescue when he beat out Angelov's rising shot - and within 30 seconds Defoe had doubled England's lead.
Barry, Gerrard and Rooney were involved in the build-up before the clinical Defoe slipped his shot through the legs of Mihaylov.
Popov was then booked for a late challenge on Milner.
Hart again showed his worth with a one-handed save to keep out a fierce effort from Dimitar Rangelov who had replaced Bojinov a couple of minutes earlier.
Bulgaria made a second change with Veselin Minev replacing Manolev with 20 minutes remaining.
Walcott shot over the bar before making way for Manchester City winger Adam Johnson.
Mihaylov parried a low attempt from Gerrard and had the presence of mind to flick the loose ball away from Defoe.
Georgi Peev came on for Popov in the 80th minute.
Adam Johnson curled a shot just past the post after Milner had found him in plenty of space.
Defoe fired a 20 yard effort over the bar as he searched for his hat-trick.
With six minutes left, Rooney was again the creator, this time for Adam Johnson who cut inside before beating Mihaylov at his near post.
Defoe was not to be denied and he completed his treble with a left-footed cross shot with Rooney once again the provider.
