International: Eriksson faces bigger headache

England 4 Paraguay 0

Sven-Goran Eriksson admits that he now faces an even bigger headache over the final few names in his World Cup squad after England’s resurgent victory against Paraguay.

The England coach saw Wayne Bridge and Darius Vassell effectively seal their places in the final 23-man squad during last night’s 4-0 win at Anfield.

While Kieron Dyer, who will still travel to the Far East, struggled on the left, Joe Cole then earned the status of ‘‘fantasy’’ footballer from his manager after restating his claims with a sparkling second-half display.

That leaves the immensely talented West Ham midfielder as possibly the biggest dilemma left facing the Swede before he announces his World Cup squad on May 7.

There are also question marks over the final one or two defenders, another place in midfield and whether to take four or five strikers.

‘‘For me it is very tight. It won’t be easy to decide the last names in the squad,’’ admitted Eriksson.

‘‘Things can still happen as there are games to play so we will see what happens.

‘‘I have picked my 23-man squad many times so far and changed my mind many times. But that’s very good as it means the competition is good.

‘‘I am very happy as this game has made it harder, not easier. There were 21 players with 10 substitutions made who showed they wanted a ticket to the World Cup and that’s very nice to see.’’

In the first-half, Steven Gerrard was undeniably the main influence in the absence of David Beckham, filling not only the England captain’s right-sided role but also his capacity to inspire the side.

Indeed, it was his pinpoint free-kick delivery which ensured that Michael Owen took just three minutes to score on his appearance as stand-in skipper.

But while Dyer struggled to impress on his long-awaited return to international football after a 17-month absence, that was in marked contrast to Cole, his half-time replacement.

Once Danny Murphy’s deflected shot had gone in, Cole was given free rein to express himself and demonstrate he had learned his lesson after gifting Italy possession in the build-up to their equaliser last month.

As Vassell made it 3-0 amid an equally impressive performance, while Celso Ayala scored a late own goal, Cole’s sparkling cameo role therefore reignited his own World Cup hopes.

‘‘I’ve never said Joe Cole is too young,’’ insisted Eriksson, who had earlier called on his team to take the friendly seriously and to ‘relight the fire’ of Munich.

‘‘It is a question of playing good football and taking the right decisions. He played safe when he needed to and took risks in the right place on the pitch.

‘‘He’s always been a very special player, full of fantasy and special things which very few other footballers have.

‘‘I’m sure he learned by his mistake against Italy. It was something the whole country talked about, but you can’t buy experience in life.’’

As for Dyer, who possibly tried too hard to impress and was quickly crowded out when a half-chance briefly came his way, the England coach looks likely to persist with him in another left-sided experiment.

‘‘I gave him only 45 minutes because he has just come back from injury,’’ he explained.

‘‘He doesn’t need to show a lot of things to me. I know he’s a very good player but it was very good to have him in the squad and the team.’’

After three draws and a defeat, Eriksson acknowledged the need for the squad to raise morale by showing how dangerous they can be as long as quick minds and speedy feet are used on the counter-attack.

No player exemplifies that high tempo better than Gerrard, who not only set up Owen’s 15th England goal but also set the striker through for what should have been his 16th.

It was, undeniably, a case of life at least seeming possible after Beckham. Then again, even though Nicky Butt fitted comfortably into central midfield, no one in their right minds would think England are even nearly the same threat without their leading man.

‘‘Of course I hope Beckham is going to come back but I hope anyhow we will have a very good team. He is not the only good player in this country,’’ insisted Eriksson with resolute optimism.

‘‘Michael Owen played good football, was captain and scored a goal on his home ground. What more could you wish for in your football life?’’