Hat-trick hero Defoe helps to ease pressure on England

Jermain Defoe hit a hat-trick as England comfortably beat Bulgaria 4-0 and began to put the memory of their World Cup failure behind them.

England took an early lead when Defoe scored from close range, pouncing on a rebound after Ashley Cole’s shot was saved.

Joe Hart exuded confidence in goal as he continued his seamless promotion to regular first-choice and was called upon to save Glen Johnson’s blushes in the first half as the defender nearly put a cross through his own net.

In the second half Hart was again called upon to work for his clean sheet as Bulgaria’s industrious play saw them carve out chances against England’s shaky makeshift defence, but the game was made safe when Wayne Rooney played in Defoe to double the lead.

Michael Dawson further added to Capello’s defensive worries when he was stretchered off following an innocuous challenge but a late flurry of goals saw England keep up the momentum to cruise home.

Adam Johnson, on as a late substitute for Theo Walcott, netted his first international goal. Set up by a Rooney pass, the winger cut inside and unleashed an assured strike past Bulgarian goalkeeper Nikolay Mihailov.

Defoe’s night reached its peak when he completed his treble with a fierce effort, injuring himself in the process and withdrawing from the action soon after.

The margin of victory sees England lead Group G before travelling to Switzerland for Tuesday’s qualifying match. Elsewhere in the group John Toshack saw his Wales side get off to the worst possible start with a 1-0 defeat away to Montenegro.

Scotland didn’t fare much better stuttering to a 0-0 draw in Lithuania in Craig Levein’s first competitive game in charge. A Corry Evan’s goal was enough to secure three points for Northern Ireland in Slovenia and the Republic of Ireland followed suit, grinding out a 1-0 win in Armenia thanks to Keith Fahey’s second half strike.