A new era for England under Fabio Capello?

Thursday 5a.m

<> A caricature feat Walcott and Rooney, ready for WAR! (courtesy of The Sun UK)

   Believe it or not, say it loud and say it proud, England are finally back on the world stage . 4-1 was the final score from Zagreb, even manager Fabio Capello couldn't believe what his team had done over the course of 90 minutes. The minute England broke the deadlock, even FA Chief Brian Barwick was celebrating like a 10-year-old England fan, they knew this was the most important goal of the Capello reign, the Italian 'messiah' they appointed on a US$11 million contract a year. Theo Walcott was the man of the night, being the youngest ever player to score a hattrick for England at the tender age of 19, and he's not even a regular starter for Arsenal!

   I told myself that if England failed to impress me tonight, that was it, the last time I'm ever gonna see England don that famous white jersey. But hell they didn't disappoint. Despite starting off slowly and passing the ball cautiously, you could see their intention was to win the game the moment the whistle was blown. The dominated possession throughout. And though it was Croatia could threatened to score first when David james dropped the ball from an incoming corner, with Vedran Corluka hitting the side netting from the rebound, that was really their only chance throughout the night to really threaten the England backline. Walcott was brillant all night on the right, combining well with Wes Brown, causing their left sided players to be intimidated to go forward. And when the moment came, up step the 19 year old former Southampton player to score. A mistake while trying to clear Wayne Rooney's through ball which bounced off one of the Croatian players, headed into Walcott's path, and the England wonderkid calmly stroked it into the the right corner of the net

    2nd half was where all the drama unfolded. Robert Kovac was given a straight red card for an alleged elbow on Joe Cole, which left the England midfielder in a state of dizziness. Joe Cole's head was later bleeding and he collapsed. Concerns all round the stadium as he was substitute by Jermaine Jenas, who made immediate impact on the left side of midfield. The 2nd goal came not long after from England, great link up play between Emile Heskey and Rooney which the latter found Walcott on the right, which Theo scored again from exactly the same position. Goal no. 2 from the buzzing teenager. England were on the attack not long after, Jermaine Jenas turning provider this time for Wayne Rooney to notch his 19th goal for country, and his first in 9 competitive atched for both club and country. Croatia pulled one back towards the end from substitute Mario Mandzukic. England should have really kept a clean sheet for this one, as it looked like John terry was fouled before the build up to the Croatia goal.

   But it was England who had the last laugh. On the counter attack, Wayne Rooney cleverly beat one of the Croatia defenders, set up Theo Walcott, and he was one on one with the goalkeeper to score his hattrcik. And Bang! Low into the left corner with his left foot. What can't this teenager of my age do with his 2 feet? David Beckham came on 10 minutes from time, and the England clan of supporters gave an arousing applause, not for Beckham, but for the teenager who scored a hattrick and won England 3 very precious points. England manager Fabio Capello was definitely overjoyed by this outcome, having done what his predecessor had failed to do, that is beat Croatia. He was however more cautious on Walcott's performance, saying he needs the right guidance and direction from both club and national managers.

   Guess I'll be watching England's next 2 World Cup qualifiers after all!