England maintained their 100 per cent record under Sven-Goran Eriksson as they overwhelmed Mexico 4-0 in a friendly international at Pride Park, Derby, last night. Eriksson's side cut through a shaky Mexico defence almost at will, particularly in the opening 45 minutes when he fielded the side likely to face Greece in Athens on June 6th. Goals from Paul Scholes, Robbie Fowler and David Beckham effectively killed off the contest before Tottenham-bound Teddy Sheringham added a fourth in the second period. The only real surprise in the line-up was the inclusion of right back of Phil Neville after it had been anticipated that Jamie Carragher would fill the role. Eriksson had hinted that he would use all three of his goalkeepers in the forthcoming two games and it was Nigel Martyn who started between the posts.
England got off to a dream start with Scholes putting them ahead after just three minutes with a stunning strike. Steven Gerrard played the ball into the path of the Manchester United midfielder fully 30 yards from goal. But Scholes did not hesitate and his rising shot flew past the despairing dive of Oswaldo Sanchez into the top corner of the net for his 12th goal for England in his 34th international.
After 15 minutes England doubled their lead. Beckham sent a curling ball down the touchline into the path of Gerrard and he had time to send over an inviting cross for Fowler, who turned the ball past Sanchez despite the attentions of Joaquin Beltran.
The Mexicans looked in total disarray at the back and Sanchez twice pulled off fine saves in quick succession to deny England a third goal. It was only a matter of time before England scored again and the third goal duly arrived at the half-hour mark.
Owen was brought down some 25 yards from goal and there was a sense of expectancy around Pride Park as Beckham stepped forward to take the free-kick. He did not disappoint and his curling effort swung past the dive of Sanchez for his third goal for his country.
As expected Eriksson rang the changes at half-time and eight substitutes came on for the second 45 minutes, including debutants Alan Smith, Michael Carrick and West Ham colleague Joe Cole.
Gareth Southgate, playing under Eriksson for the first time, was handed the captain's armband in place of Beckham. After the excitement of the opening 45 minutes, the first quarter of the second period was relatively incident free.
Mexico enjoyed their best spell of the game and David James, a half-time replacement for Martyn, reacted quickly to turn over a free kick from Abundis.
The visitors had a chance to reduce the arrears in the 65th minute when Heskey brought down Daniel Osorno and referee Lucilio Bapista pointed immediately to the penalty spot. Abundis sent James the wrong way with his spot-kick but dragged his effort wide of the post.
After 75 minutes Sheringham showed that anything Beckham could produce he could match with a devastating free-kick which gave England their fourth goal. Cole earned the free-kick 20 yards out after a fine run and up stepped Sheringham to curl a 20-yard free-kick past Sanchez.
ENGLAND: Martyn (James 46); P Neville, Ferdinand (Carragher 46), Keown (Southgate 46), A Cole (Powell 46); Beckham (captain) (J Cole 46), Gerrard (Carrick 46), Heskey (Mills 67), Scholes (Butt 46); Owen (Smith 46), Fowler (Sherringham 55).
MEXICO: Sanchez; Suarez, Beltran (Davino 46), Oteo, Coyote (Rangel 76), A Ruiz, V Ruiz (Osorno 58), Rodriguez (Perez 82), Abundis; Nigris, Chavis (Pardo 46).
Referee: L Batista (Portugal).
