England-Slovakia: England Destroys Slovakia, Plays Ukraine Next

This afternoon at Wembley Stadium, Fabio Capello’s England took on Slovakia ahead of Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Ukraine. With England unbeaten and topping Group Six in the World Cup qualifying round, they were looking for a good performance before the visit from Ukraine.

Wembley seemed to be buzzing with a nearly sold out crowd, and with England so far under Capello reserving their best performances for their away fixtures, the fans were hoping to finally have some of that form transferred to a home performance.

Slovakia came into the game with only one victory over England in their last 11 meetings, and they also had one eye on Wednesday’s fixture against their bitter local rivals, the Czech Republic, in Prague.

During the National Anthem, England unveiled their England kit since 1966, and the kit makers, Umbro, have gone for a more retro-looking kit, harking back to a bygone era with the button neck.

England started the game at a break-neck pace. In the first minute, Aaron Lennon, who was making his first appearance in an England shirt in two years, managed to get at the Slovakian back line and force a corner. England were on the attack, and Slovakia seemed unable to cope.

Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney were linking up well. They were pulling the Slovakian defence all over the pitch.  In the sixth minute, a low pass from Gerrard found Heskey in front of a ball, watching Skrtel. 

Heskey turned the back beyond the keeper and into the net to make it 1-0, England. The goal managed to break Heskey’s barren run of six years without a goal; it was his first England goal at Wembley.

Two minutes later, Lampard and Rooney linked up. From a beautiful cross by Rooney, Heskey managed to head the ball over the bar from five yards out with a free header. England were certainly on top with Slovakia seeming not to be at the races.

With England’s constant pressure, Slovakia looked like they were going to collapse, as they struggled to get out of their first half.

At the 14th minute, Heskey was substituted because of a hamstring injury and was replaced by Carlton Cole, making only his second appearance for his country.

Carlton has seemed to come alive this season under the stewardship of former teammate and Chelsea striker Gianfranco Zola.

England started to get a little sloppier and started to drop a little deeper.  Slovakia managed to force their first corner of the game and started to apply a little pressure of their own.

A bad back pace from Skrtel almost let Wayne Rooney in to score England's second, but the keeper just managed to beat the England striker.

England started to apply pressure again, and Lampard managed to force the Slovakian keeper into a good save that the keeper managed to push around the post for a corner.

The Slovakians then came back with their first real chance.

Karhan's 25-yard drive forced David James into his first meaningful save of the game. Slovakia continued to pressure England.

England then made their second substitution of the game with Charlton Cole being forced off by an injury and being replaced with the giant striker Peter Crouch.

England then started to push Slovakia again, with the keeper having to make two quick saves from Lennon and Gerrard. 

However, a pass from Ashley Cole to Matthew Upson almost allowed Vittek to score, but David James managed to turn the ball over the bar for a Slovakian Corner. England forced the ball forward for Gerrard to test the Slovakian keeper from a distance, but he comfortably held the ball.

The second half began with David Beckham making his 109th appearance in an England shirt, becoming the most capped outfield player of all time. Also Manchester United’s Ben Foster won his second cap for his country.

The game restarted with England once again taking the game to the poor Slovakian side, who seemed unable to cope with England’s movement. England spent much of the opening period dominating the game.

At the 61st minute, Terry headed on a Peter Crouch header, only for it to be disallowed due to an offsides.

England didn’t have to wait too long to get another opportunity.

At the 70th minute, Wayne Rooney made it 2-0 and Wembley began to rock.

Peter Crouch seemed to be limping and had to be replaced with Michael Carrick. This leaves England three strikers down. With the Ukraine game in a few days, Capello's mind must have started to think about who else he could call up for cover.

In the 81st minute, Lampard made it 3-0 with some good interplay before slotting the ball beyond the keeper. He scored England’s 500th goal at Wembley and really put the game beyond Slovakia.

Slovakia, already cut to ribbons by England, conceded their fourth goal—one minute into injury time to Wayne Rooney—in this emphatic win.

With England winning in style, they will go into the Ukraine game full of confidence looking to make it five of five.

With injuries to Charlton Cole, Peter Crouch, and Emile Heskey, Capello must be on the lookout for reinforcements. Could Michael Owen get his chance? Or will England decide to change systems with Gerrard playing just behind Rooney?

Slovakia will need to up their game before Wednesday's game.

After winning a key game against Poland, Northern Ireland has knocked Slovakia off the top of the group. With a game against the rival Czech Republic coming up on Wednesday, they will certainly need to up their game if they're looking to regain the top spot.