Roy Hodgson's men were comfortable winners at Wembley,
but a booking for Danny Welbeck soured the evening, ruling the Manchester
United star out of Tuesday's clash with Ukraine
England strolled to a comfortable 4-0 win against Moldova
in their World Cup 2014 qualifying group clash, keeping pace with Montenegro
ahead of their vital meeting with Ukraine on Tuesday.
Steven Gerrard broke the deadlock with a low, powerful
strike in the 12th minute and, from then on, the hosts looked completely in
control, meeting the expectations of a less-than-full Wembley.
Rickie Lambert, making his first international start,
continued his 100 per cent scoring record at international level with a simple
header midway through the first half before turning provider twice for Danny
Welbeck. The Manchester United youngster sped through a bewildered defence just
before half-time and again finished coolly shortly afterwards.
The result was significant for England, who moved to the
top of Group H on goal difference.
England now have 15 points from seven matches, while
Montenegro – who drew 1-1 with Poland on Friday – also have the same tally, but
from one game extra.
Ukraine are snapping at both of their heels on 14 points
from seven games after thrashing San Marino 9-0, and with just one side
automatically qualifying for next year's tournament in Brazil, the stakes will
be high in the remainder of the group stages.
Chelsea pair Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole returned to
Hodgson's starting line-up for England, while Lambert was involved from the
start after scoring the winner on debut against Scotland last month.
Wayne Rooney was the headline exclusion for the hosts,
with the Manchester United forward still suffering from a head injury, while
Leighton Baines and Tom Cleverley dropped to the bench.
Moldova, who made four changes themselves, were quickly
on the back foot as winger Theo Walcott won England a corner inside the first
90 seconds.
Lambert headed the chance over, while he thrashed an
effort wide shortly after, as England started brightly, and they soon had the
lead.
The goal was created down the left, as Cole and Welbeck
combined nicely, before Lampard laid off for Gerrard.
And the Liverpool star beat Moldova goalkeeper Stanislav
Namasco with a fizzing strike from distance that went in off the inside of the
post.
Walcott had a goal ruled out for offside in the
aftermath, while Jack Wilshere and Lampard tested Namasco in a two-minute spell
that ended with a second goal for the hosts.
Moldova repeatedly failed to clear the ball and England's
constant attacks eventually bore fruit, as Namasco could only parry a Walcott
effort to an unguarded Lambert, who headed home from two yards.
Walcott and Welbeck had further opportunities, while a
neat Moldova move saw Sergiu Gheorghiev shoot well wide under pressure from
Phil Jagielka.
England sealed their victory on the stroke of half-time,
though, as Welbeck, who was booked for ignoring an offside flag – which will
rule him out of Tuesday's qualifier in Ukraine – responded within a minute with
a goal.
Lambert supplied Welbeck with an inch-perfect cross and
the Manchester United forward took a touch beyond the hapless Namasco and
tapped in to give his country a 3-0 lead at the break.
It took just five minutes in the second half for England
to extend their lead, as Lambert and Welbeck combined to superb effect again.
Lambert drifted out to the left to win the ball and split
the defence with a neat ball, and Welbeck did the rest, dinking over the
onrushing Namasco.
The match petered out after the fourth goal, as Hodgson
introduced Baines, debutant Ross Barkley and James Milner off the bench, but
there was still time for Welbeck to head over.
Barkley showed excellent skill to avoid several
challenges before shooting just wide, and Welbeck, Lampard, Kyle Walker and
Milner also went close, as England eventually settled for a four-goal victory.
England now travel to Kiev on Tuesday for a crucial
fixture against Ukraine.
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