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Jermain Defoe scored a hat-trick to help England ease past Bulgaria in the opening game of Group G in the Euro 2012 Qualifiers. Adam Johnson scored the other goal while Wayne Rooney was involved in all four goals for the Three Lions. England took the lead in the 3rd minute and never looked back as they cruised past an average Bulgaria side. The win eases the pressure on the team and Fabio Capello as they look to bounce back from a disappointing World Cup.

Fabio Capello continued to have faith in the 4-4-2, as England lined up in a familiar formation. Joe Hart started in goal while Phil Jagielka shrugged off an ankle knock to start at the centre of defence alongside Michael Dawson. Theo Walcott and James Milner played in the wide positions while Steven Gerrard and Gareth Barry started in central midfield. Up front, Wayne Rooney partnered Jermain Defoe.

Bulgaria started with Nikolay Mihailov in goal while Stanislav Manolev started at right-back. Ivan Ivanov and Ilian Stoyanov started at the center of defence. They matched England's formation by playing a 4-4-2 with the midfield comprising of Stiliyan Petrov, Stanislav Angelov, Chavdar Yankov and Martin Petrov. Ivelin Popov and Valeri Bojinov started up front.

England took the lead as early as the 3rd minute through Jermain Defoe. Wayne Rooney played a delightful chip over the Bulgarian defence to Ashley Cole, who then squared to Defoe for a simple finish. In the first half, Gerrard and Barry were pulling the strings in midfield as England looked to press home the advantage. Bulgaria looked comfortable with the ball, as they sprayed passes around. But neither team was able find space in the final third as a result of which chances were limited.

Glen Johnson almost scored an own goal in the 20th minute when he diverted a cross to Joe Hart but the keeper cleared confidently to avoid what would have been an embarrassing goal to concede. The half wore on with neither team creating clear cut chances; as Rooney never had the ball in threatening situations while Martin Petrov rarely got on the ball for Bulgaria.

The 2nd half began brightly as both teams created early chances. First, Rooney tried to chip the keeper but missed by a whisker then a few minute Petrov raced down the left wing and crossed to Popov, whose shot was saved by Hart. Dawson was substituted after picking up an injury and was replaced by Gary Cahill. Stanislav Angelov almost brought Bulgaria level in the 60th minute, but his shot was parried away by Hart. England scored a few seconds later through Defoe; Rooney played a perfectly weighted ball for the Spurs striker, who produced a composed finish to double their lead.

England's play had a new vigor as they piled on the pressure even as Gerrard came close with a long range effort. Adam Johnson came on for the pacy Walcott and the Manchester City winger had an immediate impact as he scored in the 83rd minute to put England in a commanding 3-0 lead. Defoe then sealed his hat-trick a few minutes later as he slotted home after being put through by Rooney's superb diagonal ball. The striker injured himself in the process and was substituted promptly. The game ended 4-0, much to the delight of the thousand of fans at Wembley.

Overall it was a very pleasing performance by the Three Lions and a great response to the debacle in South Africa. Rooney didn't score but created all four goals and looked menacing all night. The defensive display would have satisfied Capello a great deal, as Hart, Jagielka and Dawson had very good games. Hart in particular made vital saves to protect England's lead and finally Defoe showcased clinical finishing in scoring a hat-trick. Bulgaria created a couple of very good chances but the absence of a quality striker was the difference at the end of the day. England have started the Qualifiers on the right note and will be hoping to keep that going for the rest of the campaign. They next meet Switzerland in

England: Hart, Glen Johnson, Jagielka, Dawson (Cahill 56), Ashley Cole, Walcott (Adam Johnson 74), Gerrard, Barry, Milner, Defoe (Young 87), Rooney.

Bulgaria: Mihailov, Ivanov, Milanov, Manolev (Minev 66), Iliyan Stoyanov, Yankov, Angelov, Stiliyan Petrov, Martin Petrov, Bojinov (Rangelov 63), Popov (Peev 79).

Score: England 4-0 Bulgaria

Goals:Defoe 3', 61', 86', Adam Johnson 83'

File Photograph Copyright: Shaun Brooks

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