Sven shocker as Danes run riot

Denmark 4 England 1

It normally takes rather longer than this for optimism about England's chances of glory to become muffled but just four days after the start of the Premiership campaign, Eriksson's side were given a startling wake-up call.

Eriksson will at least be able to point to the fact that Denmark's four second-half goals three of them in the space of six suicidal minutes only came after he had made three changes at the back at half-time.

One of those, David James having replaced Paul Robinson, was especially costly as the keeper was badly at fault for the first goal on 60 minutes.

Eriksson also brought on Carragher for John Terry, Johnson for Gary Neville and Owen for Defoe. Those who went off were the lucky ones.

While James lost his regular place in the side to Robinson after his mistake in Austria effectively cost England two qualifying points, it was just another 15 minutes before he blundered again in Copenhagen.

He came charging out of his area as Tomasson chased on to a long through-ball even though Ashley Cole was in hot pursuit, so when the full-back's tackle failed to stop the striker, James was out of position for the cross which allowed Rommedahl to side-foot into an empty net.

Cole and James were just as unsteady three minutes later when Denmark scored again. This time, Glen Johnson failed to stop Claus Jensen cutting back a dangerous cross and even though Cole half-cleared the ball, it was headed back by Rommedahl for Tomasson to prod home.

If that was bad, worse was to follow. Carragher was beaten to a corner by substitute Gravgaard, whose header deflected off Gerrard into the net.

England were badly ruffled, with Cole and Johnson both booked, but at least there was Rooney, who was the only England player to escape with his dignity. The Man United striker scampered on to Beckham's through-ball and beat Sorensen to pull a goal back in the 87th minute. It was but a temporary respite, with substitute Soren Larsen able to hold off Rio Ferdinand's desperate challenge to prod the ball past James in the last minute. The reality check was complete.

DENMARK: Sorensen, Agger, Nielsen (Gravgaard 45), Niclas Jensen, Priske, Poulsen (Daniel Jensen 87), Gravesen, Gronkjaer (Rommedahl 45), Claus Jensen (Perez 75), Tomasson (Larsen 64), Jorgensen (Kahlenberg 45).

ENGLAND: Robinson (James 45), Gary Neville (Johnson 45), Ashley Cole, Terry (Carragher 45), Ferdinand, Gerrard (Jenas 84), Lampard (Hargreaves 64), Beckham, Joe Cole, Rooney, Defoe (Owen 45).

Referee: Tom Ovrebo (Norway)