Eriksson's rough diamond sparkles

Group Seven:England - 2 Turkey - 0:England lead Group Seven in the Euro 2004 qualifiers and once more top the list of the country's favourites. It was delightful enough for many supporters to see Wayne Rooney present in Sven-Goran Eriksson's line-up. Kevin McCarra was at the Stadium of Light.

There was an even more meaningful joy in the second-half opener from the substitute Darius Vassell.

Another goal in stoppage time by David Beckham, from the penalty spot, after another substitute Kieron Dyer had been brought down, capped this invigorating display.

There has been more debate over the emotional state of the team than its talents and it had almost become a matter of honour for England to seethe with aggression.

That, in any case, was the captain's interpretation and so persistent was Beckham's early fouling that it took clemency to delay the yellow card until the ninth minute.

Macho conduct, however, turns out not to be the key to a polished performance.

Eriksson's team's best chance prior to the interval depended on the crumbling form that has afflicted Rustu since the World Cup finals.

In the 12th minute Beckham and Paul Scholes worked the ball to the left and Steven Gerrard struck a hanging cross that was dropped.

Rooney never seems to be the scorer of tawdry goals and this simple opportunity must have made him anxious because his timid shot was blocked by a defender.

Experience does not always quell nerves either, and Beckham then rammed the loose ball wide.

There was every excuse for Rooney to be fretful but he has a way of expressing himself eventually, and would go on to fashion openings for others. He should add breadth to England's displays.

After this it ought to be quite a while before Eriksson is again called emollient.

Emile Heskey was dumped on the bench despite a competent effort against Liechtenstein so that Rooney could start. If Heskey was aggrieved, consider Gareth Southgate's mood. He was good enough for 90 minutes in Vaduz but the only room found for him here was in the stands. Was the demotion his punishment for weekend questioning of the coach's style? Southgate may wonder if he will ever be in the squad again.

England were in earnest about making a new beginning, but the visitors often made them pause with their ability to move the ball concisely in midfield.

If aggregate rules were applied, Turkey would have begun 29-0 down after eight prior meetings, but with a third-place finish at the World Cup Senol Gunes's team shut the door on that ignominious past.

There was an air of expectation about them, particularly because the playmakers knew what use the speedy Nihat Kahveci might make of their build-up.

Yildiray Basturk was capable of runs of his own, sprinting forward easily to deliver a 20-yarder that David James pushed away in the 32nd minute. All the same, England's stature was growing as the half wore on.

Gerrard pulled the ball back from the right after 43 minutes, but Michael Owen was tentative and scarcely made contact. His next opening came almost immediately when Rooney threaded a fine pass through, but Rustu plucked possession from the Liverpool forward's feet as he tried to round him.

While there was Turkish technique to admire, England had gradually raised the pace and found panache in the process. The reintroduction of a diamond in midfield was vindicated with Nicky Butt, at its base, giving the side the solidity from which to build.

They attempted, too, to uncover the noted weakness of Gunes's men at set-pieces.

Sol Campbell twice connected with Beckham corners, even if no great danger resulted, and Gerrard flicked one just wide of the far post. The England captain could be even more menacing at free-kicks.

The crowd gasped at an effort that hit the side-netting and had to stifle its roar when Rustu dived low to his right to reach the next, in the 66th minute.

They were not even distracted by the injury to Owen that compelled Eriksson to replace him with Vassell, who went on to enhance the attacking. The Aston Villa striker was the source of a penalty claim and also met a Gray Neville cut-back, forcing Rustu to touch the ball on to the roof of his net in the 64th minute.

There was a moral victory for England in seeing Gunes take off Basturk and the win seemed close in the 75th minute. Rio Ferdinand forced Wayne Bridges's long ball off Rustu and Vassell was sharpest to drill in the rebound.

Guardian Service

ENGLAND: James, Neville, Ferdinand, Campbell, Bridge, Beckham, Scholes, Butt, Gerrard, Rooney (Dyer 89), Owen (Vassell 58). Subs Not Used: Mills, Robinson, Woodgate, Lampard, Heskey. Booked: Beckham. Goals: Vassell 76, Beckham 90 pen.

TURKEY: Rustu, Aykel Fatih (Sukur 79), Alpay, Korkmaz, Ergun, Buruk (Davala 59), Basturk (Sas 70), Tugay, Asik Emre, Nihat, Mansiz. Subs Not Used: Omer, Deniz, Ahmet, Korkut. Booked: Buruk, Aykel Fatih, Korkmaz.

Referee: U Meier (Switzerland).