McClaren era begins with a flourish
There was no robot but Crouch's brace helped England to a 4-0 win
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Wednesday, 16, Aug 2006 10:37
The brave new world under Steve McClaren dawned in style as England cruised to a 4-0 win over Greece at Old Trafford.
All four goals came in a one-sided first-half as England left their World Cup woes behind them.
New England captain John Terry had promised to lead from the front and he did just that as he opened the scoring on 14 minutes.
Frank Lampard's free-kick was headed across goal by Peter Crouch but this was met by a poor punch from Greek goalkeeper Antonios Nikopolidis.
The ball only went as far as Stewart Downing on the edge of the box, who headed it back into the danger area and the Chelsea man stooped to head home from eight yards.
Crouch headed one just wide from Steven Gerrard's cross two minutes later but on the half-hour England doubled their lead.
Jermain Defoe's run down the left and clever ball into the right channel found Lampard bursting into the penalty area.
His shot was blocked by Paraskevas Antzas but the ball looped up over the keeper and into the net.
England had a third four minutes later as Downing delivered the ball from the left and while Lampard's close-range effort was blocked by Nikopolidis, Crouch got on the end of the rebound to poke the ball home.
Crouch grabbed his second four minutes before the break as Downing's cross was headed into the ground and up into the net by the Liverpool man.
While Greece were poor in the first-half, they came out with more purpose in the second period as Ionannis Amanatidis forced a good save from substitute goalkeeper Chris Kirkland on 54 minutes.
Then from the subsequent corner, Ashley Cole denied Traianos Dellas twice with blocks on the line.
With the game won, England took their foot off the gas and Giorgios Karagounis forced a good save from Kirkland with 12 minutes remaining.
However, England held on for a comfortable win, giving McClaren the perfect start.