Capello back in the good books

Euro 2012 Group G review: A hat-trick from Jermain Defoe and an outstanding goalkeeping performance by Joe Hart helped England…

Euro 2012 Group G review:A hat-trick from Jermain Defoe and an outstanding goalkeeping performance by Joe Hart helped England to a comfortable 4-0 win over Bulgaria in their opening Euro 2012 Group G qualifier at Wembley Stadium.

England took three minutes to begin the rehabilitation from their poor 2010 World Cup when Defoe smashed in a volley from an Ashley Cole cross.

Defoe doubled the lead after 61 minutes with a left-foot shot and completed his hat-trick four minutes from time.

Adam Johnson, who replaced Theo Walcott in the second half, grabbed England's third after 83 minutes with a low left-foot drive.

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Hart, newly installed as England's number one by coach Fabio Capello, justified that billing with three top saves.

The only blemish on an otherwise encouraging night for England came after 56 minutes when defender Michael Dawson, winning his second cap, suffered a knee injury and left the field on a stretcher.

Montenegro made an immediate impact on the group by deservedly beating Wales 1-0. The former Yugoslav Republic, who became a full member of Uefa in 2007 and won only one of their 10 qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup, looked assured against a Wales team who are already up against it in a group including England and Switzerland.

Montenegro were on top from the start and went ahead after half an hour as captain Mirko Vucinic, a threat all night, broke through some weak defending to shoot low past Wayne Hennessey at his near post.

Radomir Djalovic was denied a second goal when defender Ashley Williams somehow blocked a goalbound-shot midway through the second half as the hosts continued to press.

Wales, though, launched a furious late assault and came close to an equaliser when Simon Church headed against the bar four minutes from time.