Front pairing Jermain Defoe and Wayne Rooney took the plaudits from head coach Fabio Capello after leading England to a 4-0 defeat of Bulgaria at Wembley.

Spurs striker Defoe notched a hat-trick, while Manchester United ace Rooney gave a much-improved display – without getting his name on the scoresheet.

Capello said afterwards:“Defoe is always very important for us.

“He can shoot with his left foot and his right and his performance was really, really good and his movement without the ball was fantastic.

“I played Rooney in a position different than usual. He did very well. I spoke with him before the game.

“He had to stay just in front of the two central midfielders and from this position to go forward and to be free. The quality of Rooney was really high.”

England’s win was marred only by an injury to centre-back Michael Dawson, who was forced off just before the hour mark due to a knee problem.

Capello added: “I have to wait to find out about Dawson, I am not a doctor. We have to wait for the tests, but no-one else had problems, only Dawson.”

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