England hit Andorra for six at Wembley

New Delhi: England remain perfect in World Cup qualification Group Six after a walk in the park on Wednesday evening.

Fabio Capello handed David Beckham a start in place of the suspended Gareth Barry, allowing him to wear the No.7 shirt. Joleon Lescott lined up alongside John Terry in central defence, leaving Matthew Upson to look on.

Meanwhile, Peter Crouch was given a chance at the expense of Emile Heskey, despite the latter's impressive showing against Kazakhstan.

More than 55,000 turned up at Wembley despite major traffic problems in London, and they came expecting a veritable goal glut.

First Half

From the off, England dominated proceedings as expected. Wayne Rooney chipped for goal early on following good work by Ashley Cole, but goalkeeper Koldo Alvarez tipped over. From the subsequent corner, Theo Walcott's low drive was saved and Rooney headed onto the bar.

Rooney wasn't frustrated for long, however. Just four minutes in, Glen Johnson's 'alley-oop' cross was headed into the net by the forward, who may or may not have been trying to find Peter Crouch at the back post.

Steven Gerrard, working hard to impress without maximum composure, had an effort saved by the goalie, too, but midway through the half the hosts were becoming a little frustrated.

That's when Johnson really took the initiative. Jinking in from the right, he played the ball into the feet of a spinning Rooney, but the Manchester United man couldn't quite tame it.

On 28 minutes, Fernando Silva was off the field receiving treatment on a head wound, and England doubled their money before the visitors had their full complement again.

Johnson was again the spark, unleashing Theo Walcott, who in turn squared for the onrushing Frank Lampard to slam home emphatically.

For the next ten minutes or so, the ball probably spent too long in the air, and England lost their way again slightly. Crouch and John Terry were amongst those who mistimed their headers from crosses and corners, and Andorra would have been delighted with the narrow margin.

Before the interval, though, the scoreline would become a tad more realistic. Johnson was again the provider for Rooney, who finished with a nonchalant side-foot volley from close range, matching Gary Lineker's record of ten international goals in a season.

Second Half

Rooney wouldn't have a chance to complete his hat-trick, though, for Capello made a double substitution at the break: Steven Gerrard also made way as Ashley Young and Jermain Defoe came on to make the side very pacey on the night.

Indeed, Defoe's movement gave him an early chance; he was well spotted by Johnson, but scuffed his shot across the face of goal. On 56 minutes, Defoe came close again, heading Ashley Cole's cross wide of the mark.

A slew of half-chances followed as England sought their first of the half. Lampard blasted straight at the 'keeper and Walcott's follow-up attempt lacked conviction.

Young then came to life, ghosting in from the left and trying to find a white shirt in the box twice in quick succession, but the red-clad Andorra rearguard was able to hack clear.

On the 70 minute mark there was some mild controversy when Crouch raised an arm to marker Ildefons Lima, the lanky striker unlucky to escape without at least a caution.

Two minutes later, England finally had their second half goal. Johnson's sharp cut and measured chip prompted Defoe to head powerfully into the net.

The Tottenham Hotspur hitman didn't have to wait long for his second - Defoe following up to prod over the line after Beckham had pummelled a central free-kick over the wall and into the overworked Andorran goalie, making his last international appearance.

Then it was Crouch's turn. First, he failed to connect properly with Walcott's driven low ball from the right. On 79 minutes, though, Defoe's blast deflected into his path and and he was able to usher the ball in from point-blank range.

Thus it finished. England stay perfect on 21 points, ten clear of Ukraine and Croatia, one win shy of South Africa 2010.

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