England made the trip to Estonia knowing they had to get the three points to try and gain ground on Russia, Israel and Croatia. Steve McClaren made three changes from the game against Brazil with Brown, Bridge and Crouch coming in for Carragher, Shorey and Smith.

As expected Estonia made it hard for England to break through Crouch having the best early change but his effort drifted wide. Joe Cole broke the deadlock on 37 minutes with a lovely finish, the Chelsea player controlling a Crouch flick on his chest before turning and finding the net with a superb right-foot half-volley. Frank Lampard almost made it two minutes later but his diving header went wide.

David Beckham showed his value to the side in the second half with two wonderful deliveries setting up England’s second and third goals, Crouch the first recipient heading home well from Beckham’s cross and Michael Owen with his first goal of the season slotting home on 62.

A good solid professional display and a good result.

Steve McClaren hailed David Beckham as "immense" after the Real Madrid midfielder provided the ammunition for England to notch up an easy victory over Estonia.

Beckham created goals for Peter Crouch and Michael Owen after Joe Cole had set England on their way to a 3-0 win with an excellent finish.

McClaren said: "You can see it, you know it and I know it: he's immense.

"He has set up three of the four goals we have scored since he came back and that's why he's in the team.

"David Beckham is a very, very good player and deserves to be in the team.

McClaren added: "It's in our hands now, this was a big result for us, we had to win it, won it comfortably and professionally and that puts us back in the group.

"Four of the last five games are at Wembley and we saw on Friday what a great atmosphere and home it's going to be for England.

"But we have still got a lot to prove - we can't think we have turned the corner because we haven't yet."