Goals from skipper David Beckham, Michael Owen and a first international goal from Chelsea's Frank Lampard gave England a 3-1 win over Croatia at Ipswich. England were not at their best and Croatia missed a number of first-half chances.

West Ham's Favid James made some crutial saves in the first half and England were streched at the back on too many occasions, good result though and Sven's sixth win in a row.

Sven-Goran Eriksson saluted David Beckham after England's 3-1 victory against Croatia at Portman Road.

"One goal and one assist and his delivery as always was world class," Eriksson said of Beckham, who was replaced after an hour but remains England's shining jewel as they go into the crucial European Championship qualifiers against Macedonia next month and against Turkey in October.

"I think that is why Real Madrid wanted him. It is good to see him back in England and as usual he is very proud to play for and captain his country."

"Yes, they created two or three good chances and David James was super," said Eriksson. "It was a good result. We started the game very well but in the second part of the first-half did not play too well.

"There were too many long balls and we were stretched. It is very difficult to defend if the team is very long. There was too much space between the defence, midfield and attack. If you are not compact you always present chances. That is always the case in football.

"In the second-half we kept the ball better and played some good football. To not play well for 20 minutes is not good but in a friendly you have got to accept that and learn from your mistakes. We created a lot of chances as well."