MOLDOVA 0

ENGLAND 5

n England last night started as they intend to go on with a 5-0 win in their opening World Cup qualifier in Chisinau. Goals from Frank Lampard and Jermaine Defoe had them three-goals up just after the half-hour mark before going back down the gears again.

The scoreline will make pleasant reading for Roy Hodgson but he will be just as content with the secondary story lines. One of those was the display of Tom Cleverely, the Manchester United youngster making his first full start for his country.

If there were any nerves from the midfielder then these were blown away as England exerted their authority. His shot was handled in the box by Moldova's Simion Bulgaru and Lampard converted from the spot after four minutes. The midfielder then headed in from Glen Johnson's cross.

Defoe made it 3-0 after just 32 minutes Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain picked his way through midfield before releasing the striker through on goal and he finished with aplomb. "The way we started showed our intentions tonight and we were comfortable at half-time," said Lampard.

England struggled to reassert themselves and had to wait until the 74th minute to go further ahead; James Milner sweeping the ball into the net to give England their fourth.

John Terry was forced off with an ankle injury late on as Leighton Baines added a final flourish with a free-kick which was deflected into the net. "I don't think it's serious. I will wait and see what the doctors tell me," said Hodgson.

England last night started as they intend to go on with a 5-0 win in their opening World Cup qualifier in Chisinau. Goals from Frank Lampard and Jermaine Defoe had them three-goals up just after the half-hour mark before going back down the gears again.

The scoreline will make pleasant reading for Roy Hodgson but he will be just as content with the secondary story lines. One of those was the display of Tom Cleverely, the Manchester United youngster making his first full start for his country.

If there were any nerves from the midfielder then these were blown away as England exerted their authority. His shot was handled in the box by Moldova's Simion Bulgaru and Lampard converted from the spot after four minutes. The midfielder then headed in from Glen Johnson's cross.

Defoe made it 3-0 after just 32 minutes Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain picked his way through midfield before releasing the striker through on goal and he finished with aplomb. "The way we started showed our intentions tonight and we were comfortable at half-time," said Lampard.

England struggled to reassert themselves and had to wait until the 74th minute to go further ahead; James Milner sweeping the ball into the net to give England their fourth.

John Terry was forced off with an ankle injury late on as Leighton Baines added a final flourish with a free-kick which was deflected into the net. "I don't think it's serious. I will wait and see what the doctors tell me," said Hodgson.