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Defoe hat-trick for England

Defoe hat-trick for England

09/03/2010 08:35:39 PM

Jermain Defoe scored a hat-trick as England crushed Bulgaria 4-0 in their Euro 2012 qualifier in London on Friday.

Defoe became the first player to score a hat-trick for England at Wembley since Alan Shearer bagged three goals against Luxemburg in 1999.

Defoe also becomes the first player to score three on England duty in the rebuilt national stadium.

The Tottenham striker was set to miss the September internationals due to groin surgery and Bulgaria will wish he had.

Defoe was assisted by a return to form from 2010 World Cup disappointment Wayne Rooney, who combined with left back Ashley Cole to set up the opener.

Manchester United forward Rooney played provider twice more, splitting the Bulgarian defence to release Defoe for the diminutive front man's second and third.

Manchester City's Adam Johnson was rewarded for a fine display, cutting in and shooting low to get on the scoresheet in the 83rd minute.

Captain Steven Gerrard was allowed his preferred role in central midfield and proceeded to dictate play, ably assisted by the industrious James Milner.

A shadow was cast over the victory when Spurs defender Michael Dawson injured knee ligaments, but Everton centre-back Phil Jagielka proved an able deputy to missing first-choice stoppers Rio Ferdinand and John Terry.

Bolton's Gary Cahill came on to make his national team debut in place of the unfortunate Dawson.

While the victory will go some way to rehabilitating the reputation of England manager Fabio Capello after an abject World Cup, sterner tests await.

England now travel to Basel to face Switzerland at St Jakobs Park on Tuesday, with the Swiss fresh from a hard-fought draw against Australia.

The other Group G match saw Montenegro hold off Wales 1-0 at the Stadion Pod Goricom.

Mirko Vucinic was the hero for the home side, scoring in the 30th minute.

 
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images

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