By Fiona McFarlane. Monday, 05 September 2005.
Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher left the Millennium Stadium on Saturday a happy man after achieving his two main objectives - three points and a clean-sheet.
The 27-year-old, who came in for the injured John Terry to partner Rio Ferdinand in Cardiff, was delighted that his first competitive start for England ended in victory.
He also admitted that facing Welsh striker John Hartson was a challenge.
"We realised before the game it was going to be a battle," he said.
"Even when you know what is he’s going to do it’s difficult to contain it and he did well."
Joe Cole’s 54th minute winner temporarily put England back on top of Group Six. Now with the Northern Ireland game fast approaching he says Sven’s men are full of confidence.
"Collectively the main thing was to get the three points," he added.
"And the aim before the game was to stop the other team from scoring and that’s what we’ve done."
"When you play two internationals close together it gives you a lot of confidence and sometimes it can be a while before you play again so it is good to get into a rhythm."