Mask slips as Wayne Rooney snatches limelight from effervescent Danny Welbeck
This was always going to be about Wayne Rooney, England's man for all seasons. This wasn’t his most glorious goal, one that will star prominently in his scrapbook, one that his fans will cherish for the forseeable future.
This was, though, one that took him closer to Sir Bobby Charlton’s international goal-scoring record and one which sparked this resilient England comeback. England were trailing to Jordan Henderson’s inadverdent headed own-goal.
Then Rooney struck.
Perhaps what will most infuriate Slovenia manager Svecko Karanec is the naivety of his captain Bostjan Cesar. Rooney had already passed the Chievo defender as Andreaz Stuna primed to thwart the striker’s progress into the Slovenian penalty area. Cesar needlessly panicked, tripping Rooney from behind as he further moved into Slovenian territory. England’s captain was unforgiving from the box, overcoming Samir Handanovic’s firm gloves to set England on the road to redemption.
It was always going to be about him, England’s golden boy, yet similar credit must be directed at Danny Welbeck, Arsenal’s reborn striker. The 23 year-old will face former club Manchester United with added verve, confidence and potency, scoring twice here to lift England to victory.
Scotland may represent a much arduous challenge than their Slovenian counter-parts on Tuesday at Celtic Park yet the rewards of this victory further ease England’s glided path to Paris and UEFA Euro 2016. They further asserted their authority, effervescene and ingenuity upon Group E, stretching the gap between themselves and second-placed Slovenia to six points. The toughest challenge for England, though, may be going unbeaten.
Effervescent start to the game
It was, though, all about Rooney at the start of the evening, as he collected a golden cap to commerate his 100th cap from Sir Bobby Charlton. The Manchester United attacker harried Slovenia early on, pressing captain Cesar and Struna.
England threatened early on as Sterling dragged his effort wide and Rooney struck a swerving volley high above the crossbar.
It is little wonder Hodgson was wary of the Slovenians. They have a wily centre-forward in Milivoje Novakovic, the 35 year-old who has scored all three of Slovenia's qualifying goals. He moved smartly beyond Phil Jagielka before directing his header narrowly wide of Joe Hart's goal.
Wilshere was stationed at the base of Hodgson's England diamond, nullifying Slovenian pressure and orchestrating home attacks. England exuded energy after the break. Rooney breached the Slovenian defence, before heading Lallana's enticing cross marginally wide.
The game momentarily burst into life as Gibbs was providing England with an attacking outlet on the left channel, buccaneering down the left and threatening Miso Brecko. Slovenia preserved a cohesive, compact shape, as captain Cesar intercepted Henderson's pass intended for the advancing Welbeck.
Slovenia’s goal stunned Wembley
Yet there was more to Srecko Katanec's side than mere defensive discipline. There was also an attacking guile, as Hodgson was quick to point our beforehand, to Slovenia as Henderson headed the ball into his own net.
England's reply, though, was primal. As Sir Bobby Charlton looked on up in the smart seats at Wembley, Rooney moved closer to the legend's record of 49 international goals and equalled that of Jimmy Greaves, condemning Cesar's stupidity. As Rooney looked to take advantage of the gaps in the Slovenian defence, Cesar was daft enough to trip him. Rooney smashed the resulting penalty home.
England capitalised on their growing momentum, capitalised on Slovenia's sudden disinclination.
Welbeck at the double
Lallana turned artfully past Struna and looked to find Sterling in the box, his attempted cross deflected towards Handanovic. Slovenia were hesitant and Welbeck pounced, his cushioned finish taking an eternity to roll into the net.
Welbeck was once again in the thick of the action, scoring England's third and putting the game beyond Slovenia. Wembley was up on their feet, applauding this goal of supreme excellence.
Gibbs received Lallana's brilliantly angled long pass and laid the ball off to Welbeck, who slipped in Sterling. The Arsenal striker had already made his move, an incisive, opportunistic dart to get past the Slovenian back-line, and Sterling's threaded pass was complimentary, finding Welbeck. His finish exuded the composure of a thriving forward relishing his every touch, as he rolled the ball through the out-stretched legs of Handanovic.