Defoe helps Capello hush England critics

One tabloid labelled Fabio Capello a "jackass" for refusing to call up Andy Carroll on the strength of one great game against Aston Villa, but the decision was vindicated in the sweetest way possible as the striker he did choose, Jermain Defoe, scored a hat-trick.

Even the Italian's harshest critics will have struggled to find fault with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Bulgaria which was their heaviest competitive defeat in over six years. England were ahead within three minutes and it was their 11th successive Wembley triumph.

The other Group G match saw Montenegro beat Wales 1-0, so the Three Lions are top of the table, with a handy three-point cushion over fiercest rivals Switzerland, who they play away to on Tuesday night. Unsurprisingly, England are [1.21] group favourites and [1.88] to beat the Swiss.

One of the few Englishmen who had cause to be disappointed with the night's events was Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, who saw Michael Dawson and Defoe go off injured.

The early news is that Defoe will recover in time to face Switzerland, however Dawson is awaiting a knee scan after his first start for his nation disappointingly ended on a stretcher.

With Jonathan Woodgate out for the foreseeable future and Ledley King still unable to play every game, Spurs - [4.4] to finish in the top four again - will be hoping that their fans' player of the year isn't too badly hurt.

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Published: 4 Sep 2010