World Cup Qualifiers: Danny Welbeck brace helps England beat Moldova

A yellow card for Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck ruled him out of Tuesday’s crucial qualifier with Ukraine in Kiev

Roy Hodgson ended the night with a bitter-sweet feeling as England thumped minnows Moldova 4-0, but a yellow card for two goal hero Danny Welbeck ruled him out of Tuesday’s crucial qualifier with Ukraine in Kiev.

Steven Gerrard‘s first goal for England in more than three years started the proceedings at Wembley. The second goal was added by Rickie Lambert, who became the first player in 37 years to score two goals in his first two internationals for England.

Then it was a Welbeck show, as he scored on either side of half-time to extend his amazing goal scoring form for his country. But it was the yellow card shown to Welbeck, for kicking the ball after the whistle had gone for off-side, which annoyed England boss Hodgson, who was waving his arms on the touchline in frustration. With Wayne Rooney out injured and Daniel Sturridge almost certain to miss, it was a crucial blow.

Lampard and Gerrard started together in midfield and they combined well when the Chelsea star, on his 99th appearance, rolled the ball into Gerrard’s path, who smashed home the opener. It must be noted that Moldova goalkeeper Namasco could have done better.

Namasco was again in the firing line when Theo Walcott fired a shot goal-wards, but he could only parry it straight onto Lambert’s head, who steered the ball home.

Then it was Welbeck’s turn to join the goal-scoring when he exposed some poor Moldovan defending, as he received Lambert’s long ball, skipped round Namasco and rolled the ball in. Lambert also provided the assist for Welbeck’s second, finding his strike partner with a short pass that allowed him to slot the ball home into the corner.

Milner, who came on as a substitute for Lambert, missed a golden opportunity in injury time to add one more to the tally.