By STUART CONDIE, AP Sports WriterOctober 13, 2007
AP - Oct 13, 11:39 am EDTMore Photos
LONDON (AP) -- England defeated Estonia 3-0 Saturday and moved within one victory of reaching next year's European Championship.
Shaun Wright-Phillips and Wayne Rooney scored a goal each and Taavi Rahn added an own-goal, giving England its third straight win at Wembley by the same score.
"What pleased me was the squad, again," coach Steve McClaren said. "People have come in ... and done their job. I'm delighted with that.
If England wins at Russia on Wednesday it will clinch a place at the tournament in Austria and Switzerland, less than six weeks after it had looked likely to miss out.
Michael Owen had the first chance after only 15 seconds and Wright-Phillips put England ahead in the 10th minute before two more goals in two minutes in the first half all but settled the outcome.
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The winning margin could have been even bigger but Rooney chipped over the bar, Owen was ruled offsides three times while trying to score, and Joe Cole also crossed onto the roof of the net.
"I'm delighted to score at any time," Rooney said. "Obviously it's been long time since I last scored, but I'm delighted now and happy with the three points."
With Estonia out of contention for a place at next year's tournament, coach Viggo Jensen put Rahn in a midfield holding role to try to blunt an attack boosted by the return of Rooney from a broken foot.
Despite an injury to left back Ashley Cole, McClaren was able to try out formations and substitutions to prepare for Wednesday's tougher match on an artificial surface in Moscow.
Rio Ferdinand was taken off at halftime to ensure he didn't get a yellow card that would leave him suspended, while Frank Lampard replaced Owen for the last 20 minutes to suggest he and the 4-3-3 formation he fitted into may have roles against Russia.
"Injuries can settle down within 24 hours and we'll know more tomorrow evening when we reassemble," McClaren said.
Updated on Saturday, Oct 13, 2007 2:24 pm, EDT
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