GROUP SIX England 5 Kazakhstan 1: IT IS more than two years since Sven-Goran Eriksson pleaded with the media not to "kill" Wayne Rooney, the "golden boy of English football".
The Swede had in mind a bitter reaction to the red card for the forward after he had contributed to the team's defeat by Portugal in the World Cup quarter-final the previous day, but interest in every aspect of Rooney's life was unwavering at that time in any case.
On Saturday it looked, for good or ill, as if the obsession with him could be reviving. For an individual of such talent, the curious aspect about Rooney is that he is much less versatile than might be expected. Against Portugal, there was conjecture that the sending-off was connected to the frustration he was experiencing as a lone forward. On Saturday Rooney appeared exasperated before the interval at being stationed towards the left.
He was surely born to be spectacular, but fulfils that destiny when sited within range of a target man. Working with Emile Heskey through the middle, as he did again for the second half with Kazakhstan, Rooney has now scored three times in his last two matches for England, having also been on target in Zagreb last month. The three goals for his country immediately before that had come haltingly in the course of 17 appearances. Overall, he has hit the net for England 17 times in his 47 outings.
Capello believes such predatory deeds could be more frequent. "It is possible for Rooney to be better," said the Italian. "He has to work every day. I spoke with him when I started as England manager. I told him technically he was very good. There are no problems with the head or feet. But when he arrives in front of the goal, sometimes he shoots too quick. He has to take things more slowly and understand what is happening. Then he can get a goal. He has to be more patient."
While keeping his options open, Capello appreciates that Rooney really thrives in the centre. "Heskey is very important for him," said the manager. "The defenders always go towards Heskey, it creates a bit of space for Rooney, whose movement is so good. He is an extraordinary player. He scored against Bolton when he played on the left wing. Not many people can do that. With Heskey he is better. When he plays in the middle he is better."
Rooney was not scintillating against Kazakhstan, who would have caused real trouble if they had defended with as much confidence as they attacked, but his impact was decisive. After the acting captain, Rio Ferdinand, had headed England in front, after 52 minutes, from a Frank Lampard corner, he unsettled the visitors at the second goal.
At another Lampard set-piece, Alexandr Kuchma headed into his own net while being challenged by Rooney. The attacker's work was far from done since the visitors were allowed to rally. Kazakhstan had always seemed entitled to a goal, such was the touch and panache in a young line-up. With the score at 0-0, Tanat Nuserbayev had rammed an attempt over the bar following a knock-down from Sergey Ostapenko in the 47th minute.
England's defence had swayed from the start, with Matthew Upson particularly unsure of himself. Ashley Cole, for his part, committed an error of such dimensions that it was hard at first to be sure what he had even been trying to do.
The left-back flipped the ball inside so negligently in the 52nd minute that it dropped nowhere near Ferdinand or the intended recipient, David James. It was within convenient range of the impressive Zhambyl Kukeyev, who struck home a low finish with aplomb. A section of the crowd then booed Cole before others rallied in his support.
Rooney put everyone in better humour after 76 minutes by heading in a cross from Wes Brown. Ten minutes later, a free-kick from the substitute David Beckham broke to the United attacker, who scored once more with a shot from an angle that ran through the legs of the goalkeeper Alexandr Mokin.
The last goal was neatly taken by the substitute Jermain Defoe in the 90th minute after a tidy touch from Heskey. Kazakhstan were exhausted long before then.
Beckham's efforts stirred the spectators and it was worthwhile to have him around as an alternative since Theo Walcott's performance tapered off after 25 minutes or so. However, he was the last man to leave the field and it cannot be taken for granted he will tread that turf again. With the LA Galaxy season coming to an end, his next objective will be to keep himself sharp until the spring.
England's thoughts must also be short-term. Victory in Minsk on Wednesday would have other sides in Group Six tacitly accepting that they are fighting for the runners-up spot. Capello compares Belarus to Arsenal in their capacity to pass and move. He will be hoping that, like Arsene Wenger's team against Hull, they can also be brittle.
• Guardian Service
