Beckham back in business

England 2 Azerbaijan 0

However, England never came that close to the goal-fest that some had predicted. Chances were aplenty at St James’ Park, with Wayne Rooney inexplicably denied on several occasions, but only Beckham and Steven Gerrard found the net.

For Beckham, however, it was a timely answer to his growing band of critics after another routine display against Northern Ireland last weekend. Following an impassioned defence by Sven-Goran Eriksson, the Real Madrid midfielder lived up to his billing as he struck his 16th goal for his country on his 80th appearance.