Wayne Rooney opened the scoring as England maintained their 100 per cent start to Euro 2012 qualifying with a 3-1 away win against Switzerland. It took only ten minutes for England coach Fabio Capello to be vindicated in playing Wayne Rooney, as the Manchester United striker opened the scoring at the near post from Glen Johnson's cross.
With Jermain Defoe looking lively England took plenty of positives from what had been predicted as a tricky encounter.
The Three Lions enjoyed the majority of play and threatened to increase their lead with their slick passing on a wet pitch.
The hosts disappointed in the first half and only came to life in the second period but just when they were enjoying their best spell they were reduced to ten men as Stephan Lichtsteiner saw a second yellow on 65 minutes for bringing down James Milner.
Almost immediately England doubled their advantage as substitute Adam Johnson was played through by Steven Gerrard to round keeper Diego Benaglio for his second goal in successive matches.
But the Swiss responded immediately as 18 year old Xherdan Shaqiri reduced the deficit with a magnificent 25 yard effort which set the nerves jangling amongst the England team.
The visitor's had chances to wrap the game up but had to wait until two minutes from time for Darren Bent to score his first international goal for his country.
The one sour note for Capello on a satisfying night was an injury to Theo Walcott which saw him stretchered off and taken to hospital for an X-ray on his injured ankle.
SWITZERLAND: Benaglio, Lichtsteiner, Grichting, Von Bergen, Ziegler, Margairaz, Inler, Schwegler, Degen, Derdiyok, Frei. Subs: Wolfli, Affolter, Streller, Padalino, Fernandes, Costanzo, Shaqiri.
ENGLAND: Hart, Glen Johnson, Jagielka, Lescott, Ashley Cole, Walcott, Gerrard, Barry, Milner, Defoe, Rooney. Subs: Foster, Gibbs, Cahill, Carrick, Adam Johnson, Wright-Phillips, Bent.
Booked Switzerland: Grichting, Lichtsteiner (red) Booked England: Cole, Milner
England scorers: Rooney 10, Johnson A 69, Bent 88 Switzerland scorers: Shaqiri 71
Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (ITA)
Venue: St Jakob Park, Basle Attendance: 39,700
