Rooney scores as England battle past Switzerland

Switzerland 1 England 3

Last night England secured a crucial win against Switzerland to remain top of their Euro 2012 qualification group. 

Despite unsavoury rumours surrounding Wayne Rooney’s personal life, Fabio Capello chose to play the striker and his loyalty was rewarded with Rooney’s early goal laying the foundations for victory in Basle.

Theo Walcott twisted his right ankle in the build-up to the first goal and his replacement Adam Johnson took full advantage to score his second goal in a week for his country.

A swerving piledriver from Xherdan Shaqiri, brought Switzerland back into the game, but they were always struggling after Stephan Lichtensteiner was sent off for two bookings and substitute Darren Bent blasted in England’s third to secure the three points with 2 minutes remaining.

After England’s disappointing display at this summer’s World Cup, a good start to this campaign was crucial and Fabio Capello will surely be pleased with England’s start. 

England’s 4-0 romp over Bulgaria was overshadowed at the weekend by accusations of Wayne Rooney’s own alleged romp, but he silenced the critics with his early goal after good work down the right by Glen Johnson.  Theo Walcott had started the game promisingly, but was stretchered off after the goal, having tangled with a Swiss defender in the build-up.  His replacement Adam Johnson had impressed after coming on against Bulgaria last Friday and was again very sharp throughout.  The hero from the Bulgaria game, Jermain Defoe, was again very lively, but will be disappointed after missing several good chances in the first half. 

Despite England’s dominance they went in at half-time just one goal to the good and after the break they were lucky to remain that way. England again started the second half slowly and were fortunate on two occasions when dangerous crosses from the right almost lead to an equaliser.  During this spell, Lichtensteiner was foolishly booked for dissent after flinging a torrent of abuse in the referee’s direction and his match was shortly over after a second yellow for needlessly scything down James Milner.

It did not take long for England to press home their numerical advantage; Adam Johnson coolly slotting into an empty net after rounding the stranded Swiss keeper.  England seemed to relax and were punished by a spectacular, swerving shot from the substitute Shaqiri, which brought the Swiss back into contention.  However, substitute Bent scored his first goal for England to confirm the win as time ticked away.  England are sitting top of Group G and Capello will hope that this form continues to aid the recovery after a disappointing World Cup campaign.

Elsewhere, Scotland secured a last-gap win over Leichtenstein; Stephen McManus heading the winner in the 97^th minute to claim a 2-1 victory and Ireland cruised to a comfortable 3-1 home win over Andorra with Kevin Kilbane, Kevin Doyle and Robbie Keane getting the goals.