Beckham opened the scoring and set up the second goal for Michael Owen as he returned to top form. And then the skipper moved inside early in the second half to allow Shaun Wright-Phillips to play on the right of midfield - and watched as the youngster scored a wonder goal.

Eriksson said: "I'm very happy for all the team. Of course I was very pleased with David, but I think he always does well for England. I see him as one of our best players in every game. I can't understand why he is criticised. I have never doubted him and I'm sure I never will.

"His performance was very good and it was an answer to his critics. People can't expect him to be our No 1 player all the time.''

Eriksson added: "I think it was a very good performance throughout the 90 minutes. The goals were good and I was pleased with all 17 players we used.

"Shaun Wright-Phillips had incredible pace and good technique and is very positive. I'm very happy for him to have a debut like that. It is what every schoolboy dreams about.

"He took his goal very well. I suppose his father was rather happy as well!

"It was great to see good quality out there, but the really important games are on the 4th and 8th of September (the World Cup qualifiers in Austria and Poland) because that's the serious stuff.''