Sport 09-09-2004 Poland 1 England 2 who: England football team what: Beats Poland 1-2 in World Cup 2006 qualifier where: Poland when: Last night snippet: "Jermain Defoe came to Sven Goran Eriksson`s rescue last night as he put England`s World Cup qualification campaign back on track," says The Mirror after England beat Poland by two goals to one in their second World Cup 2006 qualifier in Katowice. "Tottenham striker Defoe hit his first goal for his country on his full international debut to ease the pressure on the boss and put England in a strong position in Group Six." Defoe got his chance at the expense of Manchester United forward Alan Smith, who failed to prove himself in Saturday`s disappointing 2-2 draw against Austria, in which England threw away a two goal lead. Goalkeeper David James - described by The Sun`s Mark Irwin as a "donkey" - was also dropped in favour of Paul Robinson, who "had a relatively untroubled night between England`s posts," says Matt Dickinson in The Times, despite Maciej Zurawski equalising early in the second half. Sebastian Mila "might have put the Poles in front two minutes later, firing over the bar," says The Independent`s Paul Newman, "but just when it seemed that England were about to succumb to the home team`s passionate response, they broke away to score. Cole crossed from the left and Arkadiusz Glowacki, stretching to prevent [Michael] Owen sneaking in at the near post, succeeded only in putting the ball in his own net." "England showed commendable intelligence and focus all over the park," concludes Henry Winter in The Telegraph. "Ashley Cole was superb at left-back, dovetailing well with Wayne Bridge and helping force England`s second goal. David Beckham, much criticized of late, delivered a mature, if unspectacular performance, keeping his position on the right and playing an important part in Defoe`s fine strike." [... more]

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