Sport 19-08-2004 Becks Silences The Critics who: David Beckham what: Scores and inspires England to 3-0 friendly victory over Ukraine where: St James` Park, NEWCASTLE when: Last night snippet: "In a part of town where they used to stage public hangings, David Beckham last night breathed life back into England," says an impressed Henry Winter in The Telegraph after last nights friendly 3-0 win. "His poacher`s goal in front of the Gallowgate gave England the confidence they needed to finish off Ukraine through Michael Owen and, thrillingly, Shaun Wright-Phillips." Beckham latched on to a skimming 27th-minute cross from John Terry "to poke the ball over the line," says The Guardian, "hurting the challenging goalkeeper Oleksandr Shovkovskyy in the process." But, notes The Sun, "while Beckham was hailed by the Geordie public, Kieron Dyer got it in the neck." Dyer, villified in the local Newcastle press for reportedly refusing to play anywhere other than central midfield for his club, "was booed every time he touched the ball as a second-half sub. Right now the rift with the fans seems irreparable." "Five minutes into the second half, England doubled their lead when Beckham cut inside from the right flank and chipped the ball on to Michael Owen`s head", continues The Times, and Beckham`s new Real Madrid team-mate directed a firm header into the net. But for The Independent`s Glenn Moore, the real star last night was diminutive Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips, who made his debut as a 52nd minute substitute. Within 20 minutes of coming on, he picked up the ball near the halfway line, "ran at the Ukrainians who backed off and backed off until Wright-Phillips drilled a sweet shot inside the far post." "It was a start that every young player in England must dream of," Eriksson told The Times afterwards, admitting that "a win was what we needed at the moment, although September 4 is the serious stuff." It may not have been serious, says The Telegraph, "but it meant everything to Beckham; here was an opportunity to re-engage with the England public, to remind everyone of his enduring class." Berti Vogts` Scotland, meanwhile, were humbled again with a 3-0 home defeat by Hungary, while Wales` trip to Latvia ended in a 2-0 victory to the visitors, with John Hartson and Craig Bellamy the scorers. [... more]

What The Papers Say is delivered to thousands of readers every morning by web, WAP and email. Sign up today!