Match Summary

Estonia Team

England Team

    Match Report by Mike Payne

The last match of a long, hard season saw England produce a thoroughly professional performance to despatch Estonia with the minimum of fuss and move on to next season's sterner tasks.

It was a good all round display from England with excellent performances all through the team.  David Beckham showed his full range of passing skills, Frank Lampard worked his socks off and Wayne Bridge made some fine runs down the left, sending over a series of telling crosses.  At the back John Terry was in commanding form and made a couple of brilliant tackles and clearances when the home side threatened, whilst Ledley King gave him good support.  Steven Gerrard also showed his pedigree in the midfield, orchestrating the passing and movement that England displayed.  Peter Crouch dominated in the air and his knock-downs and flicks several times led to chances.

The problem was going to be in how to break down the packed home defensive lines?  Michael Owen looked sharp, albeit slightly ponderous as he strives to regain that extra yard to unlock defences.  He did have a good chance in the 28^th minute when he received the ball from Beckham's free-kick, but Owen delayed too much and the chance was gone.  In the end the breakthrough came in the 37^th minute and came from England's most fluid attack so far.  Bridge hurled a long throw into the box and Crouch flicked the ball on to Joe Cole.  The Chelsea man controlled the ball brilliantly with his chest before hitting a half-volley past goalkeeper Mart Poom.  It was a fine goal and it helped England settle to their task with an even more renewed confidence.

They reappeared after the break with an increased determination and pace and within 15 minutes they had made the game safe.  At the heart of England's next goal was the mercurial Beckham who beat Dmitri Kruglov before sending over a magnificent cross for Crouch to nod past Poom.  It was a superb goal and Crouch's 12^th for his country and sixth of the season for England.  Ten minutes later and Beckham produced another wonderful cross to find Owen and this time the ball was despatched past Poom with aplomb.  It was a landmark for Owen too, as it was his 23^rd competitive goal for England, thus passing Gary Lineker's record.

Beckham had earlier turned his ankle but with a three goal lead he was able to limp away from the action to a standing ovation.  There was no further scoring as England coolly played out the remaining minutes with some degree of comfort.  The very good performance had been well rewarded and Steve McLaren will also take heart from Russia's draw with Croatia in Zagreb the previous evening, a result that leaves England with everything to play for in the coming months.