England vs Kazakhstan Match Report

England maintained their 100 per cent start to the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, but were given a stiff test before beating Kazakhstan 5-1 at Wembley.
A spirited display from the visitors saw England jeered off at half-time with the game scoreless, but a change in system from coach Fabio Capello provoked an improved showing in the second 45 minutes.
Stand-in skipper Rio Ferdinand broke the deadlock on 52 minutes before Kazakhstan defender Aleksandr Kuchma headed into his own net on 64 minutes.
Sloppy play from Ashley Cole enabled Kazakhstan to pull a goal back through Zhambyl Kukeyev, only for Wayne Rooney's header on 77 minutes to finally extinguish the away side's threat.
Rooney added another on 86 minutes before his replacement Jermain Defoe rolled home a fifth goal to give the scoreline a lopsided look that disguises the overall quality of England's performance, which was not a patch on the 4-1 victory in Croatia a month ago.
An inexperienced Kazakhstan side were not overawed at stepping out at Wembley, but it was the hosts who created the first chance after three minutes.

Official Man of the Match: Wayne Rooney

Courtesy of Sky Sports