| Emile Heskey scored his first goal in a competitive match for
England since the 2002 World Cup as Fabio Capello's side took another
important if unconvincing step towards the 2010 finals.
The Aston Villa striker had not hit the target in an important
match for his country since netting against Denmark in Japan seven
years ago.
But Heskey was on hand to effectively kill off the contest in
first-half stoppage-time with the simplest of tap-ins, after his
former Villa team-mate Gareth Barry had settled England's nerves
with the opener minutes earlier.
For Barry it was the perfect end to a week in which he had ended
his 12-year stay at Villa Park and made the £12million switch
to Manchester City.
Then Wayne Rooney - with his eighth goal in his last six England
appearances - and a Frank Lampard penalty gave a flattering look
to the scoreline in the second period.
England were as inept in the opening half hour as they were in
the first half of a Euro 2008 qualifier against Andorra in Barcelona,
during Steve McClaren's reign.
But under Fabio Capello they have acquired the habit of being
able to eke out results when not firing on all cylinders, as well
as producing majestic performances such as the one when they demolished
Croatia nine months ago.
Victory maintained their perfect record in Group Six, and they
will have one foot in the finals in South Africa next summer if
they dispose of bottom-placed Andorra at Wembley on Wednesday.
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