England 3 Russia 0:With this win England rise to second place in Group E, but they have risen much further on another scale. In completing a pair of victories over five days, they have grown in menace and self-belief. Ruthlessness, epitomised by Michael Owen's two goals, is also heartwarming when you are a manager, like Steven McClaren, whose job security was in doubt.
His new security and the confidence of the side were in harmony as Russia were overtaken in the Euro 2008 qualification group. There was room for panache in the 85th minute as Rio Ferdinand collected an Owen pass, baffled Vladimir Bystrov with a shuffle and shot into the net at the near post for the third goal.
Having conceded one goal in eight qualifiers, the visitors lost another, to Owen, within seven minutes of the kick-off. That was persuasive evidence for England's new-found vivacity.
From there, McClaren's side went on to confound any sceptics who believed the seeming excellence against Israel last weekend to be an optical illusion brought on by the infirmity of the visitors.
This happened to be the first time since World Cup qualifiers with Northern Ireland and Azerbaijan in March 2005 that England have sent out the same line-up in consecutive matches. That was not intended, and a fit Owen Hargreaves would probably have been brought in for this fixture, but the stability brought its own benefit in the continuity of confidence.
These players were happy to be in action together again so soon and the side were awash with menace, particularly in the opening half-hour. McClaren and his coaches were still in form, diagnosing the ailments in Russia's system and having the means to exacerbate them. That danger took an oddly old-fashioned form.
The theory that "the big man" will upset foreign centre-backs is supposed to be a hoary combination of racism and miscalculation. The fact was, though, that Russia could not cope with aerial challenges and were so disturbed by them that defenders twice left Owen unattended, whereupon he capitalised on knock-downs Guus Hiddink's side could not prevent in any case. Russia were being belaboured and when Gareth Barry's corner in the seventh minute was cleared back to him, the Aston Villa player crossed once more and John Terry distracted the markers. The ball dropped to Owen, who had time to tuck home a shot off the inside of the far post.
The visitors were overwhelmed when asked to stop England and Emile Heskey was shooting against the goalkeeper Vyacheslav Malafeev three minutes later, Owen losing his balance as he sought to pounce on the rebound.
Though Hiddink has a poor record against English opposition, Russia were not incapable. Instability in defence, though, undermined them and the switch to a back four before the interval had been reached showed the gravity of the situation. There was panic in the 19th minute before referee Martin Hansson ruled that Konstantin Zyrianov had tamed the ball with an arm before hitting the net.
There was involvement, too, for goalkeeper Paul Robinson, who saved from Andrei Arshavin and Dmitri Sychev. Even so, it was always the visitors who were more likely to succumb.
The spirit of Hiddink's side was not at issue as they made inroads in the opening to the second half. Another facet of the England team came under inspection: would the line-up, lacking Hargreaves and containing wide midfielders, be too open? There was a tremor of fear in the 51st minute before Russian appeals were rejected following Ashley Cole's challenge on substitute Vladimir Bystrov.
England were not dictating the play, but they could have polished off Russia after an hour. Joe Cole's low cross was ideal, but Steven Gerrard's miscue was ugly and the ball skewed off-target.
The visitors were in danger of petering out. Heskey and others began to make their presence felt once more and the Wembley crowd resumed its cheerfulness. All new stadiums are in desperate need of memories. Wembley lacked that after a glum FA Cup final and some travails for England in a pair of friendlies. The ground, though, is starting to acquire associations. This showed every sign of being the night when the modern England line-up looked in command of their fate.
McClaren, therefore, could be happier about his immediate destiny. The team selection was not necessarily the one he envisaged a few weeks ago, but it is one he may have faith in for the times to come.
ENGLAND: Robinson, Richards, Ferdinand, Terry, Ashley Cole, Wright-Phillips, Barry, Gerrard, Joe Cole (Neville 88), Heskey (Crouch 80), Owen (Downing 90). Subs not used: James, Brown, Smith, Johnson. Booked: Joe Cole.
RUSSIA: Malafeev, Vasili Berezutsky, Ignashevich, Alexei Berezutsky, Aniukov (Kerzhakov 80), Bilyaletdinov, Zhirkov, Semshov (Bystrov 40), Sychev (Pavluchenko 63), Arshavin, Zurianov. Subs not used: Shunin, Torbinsky, Pogrebniak, Kolodin.
Referee: Martin Hansson (Sweden).
