Euro 2012; England 4-0 vs. Bulgaria – Jermain Defoe scores a Hat trick
England put on a marvellous display at Wembley to win back the English fans, as they thrashed Bulgaria 4-0 in their first Euro 2012 qualifier. Jermaine Defoe’s hat trick was the highlight of the day as the Tottenham striker repaid the faith shown in him by Fabio Capello. While Adam Johnson was also on the score sheet, the left footer has fast been emerging as one of the most promising English players. The Manchester City man did no harm to his ever growing reputation by exhibiting an energetic display after coming on from the bench. Wayne Rooney also seemed to be getting back his touch, so all in all it was a resounding performance from the English team.
The home team stamped their authority quite early in the match, Jermaine Defoe took only 3 minutes to net in the first goal. Wayne Rooney moved into the box and set up Ashley Cole but the full back could not make it work and Jermaine Defoe was at the right place at the right time to knock in the first goal.
The English team were all over Bulgaria and the hosts kept on the pressure while attacking on every given opportunity. Wayne Rooney looked to be getting his confidence back and was enjoying playing a new role just behind Defoe.
Steven Gerrard with the captain’s arm band also looked lively; he set up Theo Walcott after intercepting a pass in the midfield. But the Arsenal winger was sluggish in controlling the ball and the Bulgarian defence did its job well.
Gareth Barry, who missed the World Cup due to injury, also got into the act from the midfield. He played in his new Manchester City and former Aston Villa midfielder James Milner, but Milner’s shot was easily saved by Nikolay Mihaylov's throat.
The first half ended at 1-0, but it was clear that more goals were to come from England in the next 45 minutes.
First effort of the second half came from Bulgaria; Valeri Bokinov worked some space down England's right before flashing a shot across Joe Hart's goal.
England got hold of the game in matter of minutes, and Wayne Rooney, collected Jermain Defoe's fine nod-down and then attempted an audacious chip from 20 yards that Bulgarian keeper Nikolay Mihaylov had to scramble back to tip over.
Bulgaria tried to get back in the game, and threatened when Valeri Bojinov made the most of a Michael Dawson’s error to lay in Ivelin Popov, but the midfielder's low shot fizzed past the far post.
Michael Dawson, was heavily tackled and was eventually replaced by Bolton's Gary Cahill for the defender's first international cap. Apparently, Cahill is the first Bolton player to represent England since Michael Ricketts.
England kept on the pressure and just 14 seconds after keeper Joe Hart had to beat away a fierce Chavdar Yankov effort. England then doubled their lead, as Jermain Defoe latched on to Wayne Rooney's pass to slip through Nikolay Mihaylov's legs with a fine finish.
Bulgaria's Zhivko Milanov was lucky to get away with a blatant charge on James Milner, before Steven Gerrard forced a smart stop with a snap-shot from the edge of the area.
With 20 minutes left Adam Johnson came on to replace Theo Walcott, who had been pretty anonymous in the 2nd half.
Adam Johnson got his foot on the ball on England's right, but he sent his shot past the far post when he had options inside him. Fabio Capello was not amused on the England bench.
Adam Johnson got his first international goal, when Jermain Defoe and Wayne Rooney combined to feed him on the right, and the Manchester City winger got his shot absolutely spot on, firing inside the keeper's near post left-footed.
The 3-0 score line was a clear justification of the one sided affair at Wembley, but there was still more to come. There was a super counter-attack, super finish, and a super hat-trick. England surged forward and Jermain Defoe dashed on to Wayne Rooney's through-ball before lashing past Bulgaria keeper Nikolay Mihaylov left-footed. It was a well deserved hat trick for Defoe and another assist from Rooney must have made him feel much better.
Fabio Capello must be pleased and relieved after such a dominating display from his team, and will go into the next qualifier against Switzerland with a big win on his back.
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