Steven Gerrard comes to Fabio Capello's rescue

Fortunately for England, Steven Gerrard dismissed those thoughts of international retirement as quickly as they entered his mind in the wake of the World Cup. Because at Wembley came yet more evidence of why this brilliant Liverpool midfielder will be central to England's recovery after the bitter disappointment of South Africa.

Two goals in four second-half minutes arrived like a resuscitation trolley in England's emergency ward, not least because of the manner in which Hungary had seized the lead and the storm brewing over Fabio Capello's untimely dumping of David Beckham.