Theo treble sinks Croats

Theo Walcott came of age in an England shirt on Wednesday as he inspired a 4-1 victory over Croatia in their latest 2010 World Cup qualifier.

The Arsenal man grabbed a hat-trick, while Wayne Rooney got the other, as Croatia's fine home record suffered a crushing blow.

England began the game as if revenge for their Euro 2008 failings against Slaven Bilic's men was clearly occupying their mind.

Their early endeavours yielded no reward, but they finally took the lead on 26 minutes when some comical Croatian defending presented Walcott with the opportunity to fire a low drive past Stipe Pletikosa.

Their task was then handed another timely boost eight minutes after the interval when Robert Kovac was dismissed for clattering Joe Cole with a stray elbow.

The ten-men were unable to keep the Three Lions out for long, and Walcott grabbed his second of the game on 59 minutes when Rooney provided him with the chance to score an exact replica of his opening strike.

Four minutes later the points were secured when Rooney got his own name on the scoresheet as he profited from some lax marking and a fine break from substitute Jermaine Jenas.

With England threatening to run riot, Frank Lampard thought he had bagged a fourth on 75 minutes, only to see his fine strike ruled out for an earlier foul by Emile Heskey.

Mario Mandzukic then added some credibility to the scoreline three minutes later when he broke clear to slot a calm finish under the advancing David James.

On 81 minutes Walcott's remarkable night was completed as he raced on to Rooney's through-ball and kept his composure brilliantly to complete his treble with a nerveless finish.

A question mark will inevitably hang over whether 33-year-old David Beckham will start another game for his country after this Walcott show.

Capello opted not to man-mark midfield playmaker Luka Modric and the Tottenham player saw plenty of the ball during the early stages as the focal point of his side's attacks.

James needed two attempts to grasp a shot drilled straight at him by Danijel Pranjic and then failed to hold on to a deep corner from Darijo Srna and would have been relieved to see Vedran Corluka drill the loose ball into the side-netting.

The pressure steadily mounted on England although resolute defending denied the home side any clear-cut opportunities.

The visitors went ahead through Walcott in the 26th minute - but they were given a helping hand by the Croatian defence.

Pranjic's clearance rebounded off Josip Simunic into the path of Walcott but the teenager made the most of his fortune as he drilled a fierce low shot across Pletikosa into the corner of the net.

Walcott could have added a second from a similar position soon afterwards but this time the Croatian keeper was able to tip his effort around the post.

Mladen Petric had a fierce low drive blocked, but the Croatians failed to cause any major problems in the opening 45 minutes.

And they became increasingly wary of the pace of Walcott who was cynically sent crashing to the ground off the ball by Josip Simunic after one lightning run - a challenge which earned him a 38th minute yellow card.

England looked composed and Pletikosa did well to get his body behind a low, skimming free-kick from Lampard.

Then after 53 minutes Croatia were reduced to 10 men when Kovac was sent off for an aerial challenge which left Joe Cole bloodied - and replaced by Jenas.

England almost instantly made their numerical advantage count, with Walcott striking for the second time.

Emile Heskey and Rooney were involved in the build-up before the overlapping Walcott had time to pick his spot and send a low shot across Pletikosa, mirroring his effort for the first goal.

England were now rampant and in the 63rd minute Rooney ended his 11-month international scoring drought.

Ashley Cole won the ball off Srna, picked out the run of Jenas and his low cross from the left flank was clinically despatched by the Manchester United star.

Lampard had an effort ruled out for offside before Mandzukic beat James from close range with 12 minutes remaining.

But Walcott ended any hopes of a late Croatian revival as he collected a Rooney pass and clipped the ball wide of Pletikosa for his hat-trick.

GO, GO, GO, GO THEO..............