Natural born thriller

England goalscoring hero Krystian Pearce says the last seven days of his life have been 'crazy'.

The Birmingham City centre-half followed up a majestic performance against Brazil last Friday with his first World Cup goal during the 3-1 win over Syria.

"This week has been the highlight of my career so far," said Pearce. "It's been crazy but I've enjoyed it."

Pearce is a strapping defender - the sort you don't want to line up against. But appearances can be deceptive and while his ample frame suggests he's an old fashioned centre-back, he favours step-overs and nutmegs rather than hoofing the ball into row Z.

Never was that more evident than against Syria. With England narrowly leading their Middle East opponents, Pearce jogged up for a 45th minute corner which Nathan Porritt took short before crossing to the back post.

Pearce, loitering unmarked, controlled the ball, casually sold the keeper the mother of all dummies before poking home.

"I saw Rhys in front of me," recalled Pearce. "I could tell he wasn't going to reach it so I waited for it to come over his head and took a touch.

"I saw the keeper scrambling across, I knew he would have to dive if he thought I was going to shoot, so I cut it back on to my left foot and slotted it in. I knew I was unmarked and had time and space. I'm always composed. It was just one of those things."

And how did he feel to score in a World Cup?

"Incredible. I can't explain it. It's the best feeling I have ever had in football."

But don't expect him to get carried away with it. The man known affectionately by his team-mates as 'Chief' seems to take it all in his languid stride.

Pearce might actually have a new nickname if England goalkeeping coach Tony Parks gets his way. Revelling in the defender's surprisingly bulging box of fancy tricks, Parks says Pearce should he referred to as the 'Magic Man'.

His Zinedine Zidane style swivel against Brazil last week has become the stuff of legend.

Indeed, the Syrian defenders certainly fell for Pearce's step-overs and one run in the second half took him from inside his own box right to the opposition corner flag. It needed three defenders to finally dispossess him.

"It was just adrenaline," he insisted. "I won the ball and passed it to H [Henri Lansbury]. I just drove into the space and tried to keep the ball for us. It wasted a bit of time.

"When I was younger I used to be a striker. I played up front for Birmingham at U12 and U13. I used to dribble a lot so it comes quite naturally. If you have the ability then it's just down to confidence."

Pearce helped England set up an enthralling Quarter-Final against Germany.

"I was hoping we would face them," said Pearce. "I'm looking forward to it. It's England v Germany - that's just one of those great games. We should be able to beat them."