England stroll to victory over Andorra
Jermain Defoe pressed his case for a place in England's frontline with two goals
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Saturday, 02, Sep 2006 07:26
Steve McClaren's successful stewardship of the England team continued with a comprehensive 5-0 defeat of Andorra at Old Trafford.
Against one of the weakest teams in world football England were expected to score goals and win well and they didn't disappoint with a commanding performance.
Both Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch enjoyed the freedom afforded them by the sluggish Andorra, scoring two goals each.
It was the giant Liverpool striker who opened the scoring after just five minutes, slotting home confidently when the ball broke to him 12 yards out.
His club captain Steve Gerrard slammed home a shot for the second before supplying a perfect cross for Defoe to volley home and round off the first-half scoring.
The defensive frailties of the visitors were aptly illustrated by Defoe's second as Phil Nevile's header floated unchallenged into the penalty area.
The young Tottenham forward cushioned the ball beyond a covering defender with his first touch and drilled it past Jesus Luis Alvarez in the Andorra goal.
Crouch added his second and England's fifth just after the hour, a goal which takes his international tally to ten goals in thirteen games.
Andrew Johnson came off the bench to good effect, selflessly providing a chance for Crouch to complete his hat-trick and buzzing with energy and pace.
For all the goals here, it will be a tougher test that awaits the McClaren regime in the next qualifier on Wednesday away against Macedonia.