Walcott fires England

Theo Walcott: Becks banisher

England hammered Croatia 4-1 last night largely inspired by the international coming of age of Theo Walcott.

The mercurial Arsenal youngster bagged a superb hat-trick as England condemned Croatia to their first competitive home defeat.

Walcott is now the youngest ever England player to score a hat-trick. England ‘veteran’ Wayne Rooney bagged the third goal in what was the most impressive England display since the 5-1 mauling of Germany back in the Sven days.

Fabio Capello took a chance and started Walcott on the right flank after glimpses of magic against Andorra and it was a gamble that paid off.

With David Beckham on the bench England played with a new dynamic edge and continually looked to threaten with Walcott’s electric pace.

The deadlock was broken on 26 minutes when Walcott took advantage of a wicked deflection to fire low and hard across the Croatia keeper Stipe Pletikosa.

England looked comfortable at 1-0 but Croatia began to turn the screws with a number physical challenges which culminated in a red card for Robert Kovac after leading with the elbow on Joe Cole.

The Chelsea man was carted off with a nasty gash to the head and England attacked the 10 men of Croatia with lethal guile.

Walcott added a second on 59 minutes which was almost a carbon copy of the first but this time with mesmeric build up play conducted by a resurgent Wayne Rooney.

Rooney got in on the act slotting home the third four minutes later after great work from Jermaine Jenas on the right.

Rooney then laid on Walcott for his hat-trick on 82 minutes with a defence splitting pass which gave Walcott time to compose himself and seal the deal for England.

There were many positives from England last night and the scholarly Fabio Capello can take much of the credit.

No thanks to the new head boy.

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