Deadly Defoe ensures England's World Cup dream remains alive

Jermain Defoe nudged home the first-half winner that propelled the Three Lions into the last 16 and a mouthwatering tie with Germany on Sunday.

Landon Donovan's stoppage-time effort in Pretoria meant the outcome was not exactly what England wanted, as it sends them to Bloemfontein and leaves them in the same quarter of the draw as Diego Maradona's dangerous Argentinians.

But the main thing is they are still there, and Fabio Capello can at least look back on the result with satisfaction, given his decision to select Defoe above the non-scoring talents of Emile Heskey.

But there was so much more to cherish.

With the notable exception of Wayne Rooney, who did not look impressed to be replaced by Joe Cole, and the fact their goals difference read only one, England found themselves again, producing all the verve and fire their manager knows they are so capable of.

Days of rancour gave way to the sheer exhilaration of seeing a team play in the manner of old and though their profligacy ensured there were some nervy moments to survive before victory could be achieved, in the end they made it.

The men who combined to give England that crucial, crucial goal were both exorcising a personal ghost.

It has almost been forgotten it is so long ago but right at the beginning of England's World Cup campaign, Defoe was a starter for Capello.

Hauled off after a goalless 45 minutes against Andorra in Barcelona, Defoe was condemned to the role of impact substitute for the remainder of the qualifiers, admittedly scoring three times in the process.

James Milner's wound is much fresher. Always a Capello favourite, the Aston Villa man was asked to plug a hole on the left of England's midfield for the opening encounter with the United States.

Given a right old chasing by Carlos Bocanegra, the 24-year-old was hauled off after half an hour and must have wondered if he would see any more action in South Africa.

Capello is intensely loyal though. Deciding he needed more solidity defensively than Aaron Lennon can provide, the Italian turned to Milner for the right-sided role.

His early contribution was riddled with mistakes. But the cross he swung deep into the Slovenia box midway through that opening period was almost Beckham-esque.

Defoe had made his way into the danger zone, like any instinctive marksman would, got just in front of Marko Suler and stuck out his leg, prodding the ball goalwards with enough power to get it past Samir Handanovic, who did nearly make a save.

It had taken Defoe 23 minutes to achieve what Heskey had managed once in eight years; a competitive goal.

Visibly, the pressure lifted from English shoulders.

The high-tempo, quick passing, tigerish pressing game Capello had yearned for, and which temperatures of a South African winter suit so well suddenly appeared, and so did the opportunities.

Frank Lampard and captain Steven Gerrard had the first couple before half-time, the Liverpool man knowing he would have scored if he had put more power behind a side-footed effort that just failed to beat Handanovic after a hitherto quiet Rooney had provided the superb square ball.

Capello cut a frustrated figure when, eight yards out and completely unmarked, Defoe made no contact after Barry had lofted a pass into a Slovenia penalty area in a state of confusion thanks to some selfless running from Rooney.

John Terry brought a brilliant save out of Handanovic when he rose to meet Barry's corner at the far post before Rooney struck the base of a post after his unchecked run into the penalty area had been spotted by midfielder Lampard.

It was sumptuous fare lifted directly from the Premier League, the kind of football that prompted Capello to make his "crazy" claim that England could reach the final of this grand and prestigious tournament in South Africa's Soccer City on July 11.

In a week for apologies and forgiveness, the England supporters responded by showing they bore no hard feelings for Rooney's rant in Cape Town by chanting his name with gusto, although on the second occasion it was for their talisman's exit – unhappily – to make way for Joe Cole to make his long-awaited bow.

Amid the euphoria at finding a team, one fairly large problem was being overlooked. England's lead remained stuck at one and could so easily be snatched away.

Had first Terry, then Glen Johnson, not thrown themselves in front of Slovenian shots, the smallest country in the tournament would have had their equaliser and England would have been out.

For Slovenia, events elsewhere would give them cause for huge regret. For England, pride was restored – and a sigh of relief could be breathed.

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Wayne Rooney clockwatch

9th minute: Cuts inside before curling in a cross which forces Bojan Jokic to concede a corner.

13th minute: Wins a long-range free-kick from which Frank Lampard forces goalkeeper Samir Handanovic into a solid save.

14th minute: Slides a pass into Lampard's run into the box, but puts too much on it.

17th minute: Sees his first attempt at goal deflected out for a corner.

29th minute: After Handanovic keeps out Jermain Defoe's effort, sets up Gerrard only to see him denied by the goalkeeper.

52nd minute: Exchanges passes with Gerrard but cannot get his shot away.

57th minute: Handanovic turn his shot onto the post after a great run.

63rd minute: Glancing header deflected wide.

MATCH FOCUS

Hero: Jermain Defoe

The Tottenham striker was called in to give the England frontline some much-needed pace and ended up being the hero of the hour as he brilliantly volleyed in the winner from James Milner's precision cross. Defoe could have had at least two more goals in what was a lively performance from the striker.

Villain: Wayne Rooney

Harsh? Maybe, but had the out-of-sorts Wayne Rooney put away his glorious chance midway through the second half, instead of scuffing it against the post, then we could have all enjoyed a much less frantic finale to the match.

Key moments

9th minute: Wayne Rooney cross just taken away from the head of Steven Gerrard by Bojan Jokic.

22nd minute: GOAL James Milner crosses from the right and Jermain Defoe gets in front of his marker to score. 1-0

26th minute: Frank Lampard cashes in on chaos in Slovenia defence but puts his 20-yard shot high over the crossbar.

29th minute: Defoe unleashes stinging 20-yard shot which Handanovic can only parry away. Steven Gerrard is then set up by Rooney but sees his shot saved.

Half time: 1-0

56th minute: Barry corner headed goalwards by Terry at the far post and Handanovic blocks.

57th minute: Rooney clear with goalkeeper to beat but drags his shot against the foot of the post.

67th minute: John Terry and Johnson make desperate blocks to deny the Slovenians.

86th minute: Substitute Joe Cole, who came on for Wayne Rooney, fires a left-foot shot just wide.

90th minute: Tim Matavz misses his kick in front of goal.

Full time: 1-0

Ref watch

Wolfgang Stark (Germany): The official showed real assurity and common sense in the way he handled the game. Although his booking of Glen Johnson for diving did seem extremely harsh.

Verdict

Phew... England may have stumbled through to the next round, but at least they have escaped Group C and maybe, just maybe, this performance was a sign of much better things to come.

Quote of the day

I am really happy with the performance of the team. This team can go forward. All the team, the coaches, their mind is free. We can go forward without any fear.

– Fabio Capello shows his delight after England's win over Slovenia yesterday.

Next game

England will now face Germany in Bloemfontein on Sunday at 3pm in the second round encounter.