Fabiolous

I'm going to hold my hands up and say I was dreading last night. England, away from home it had all the ingredients of a horrible evening as an England fan. However it turned out to be the best evening at as England supporter since the 5-1 victory in Munich against the old enemy Germany.

A 4-1 win against Croatia was more than any England fan could have expected in there wildest dreams. I would have been hanging from the street-lamps if we had come away with anything more than a point from Zagreb. After this performance it has left me more confused than anything else, how can a team who were so shocking against the Czech Republic and Andorra turn it around a produce the best England performance for seven years.

Well there are a few factors that certainly contribute. First one being the unquestionable arrogance of the Croatian management.

"It's going to be hard and we're full of respect - but we're very confident."

Not sure that's the way to approach a high-charged international against a side you beat home and away. This would have lifted the England players, as if they needed any more motivation. This for me took more pressure off the England players and more on the plucky Croatians.

Secondly, the bold selection policy of England Manager Fabio Capello. Name me one England manager from the last, lets say 15 years who would have left out David Beckham from the line-up instead going for teenager Theo Walcott. The answer is none. No England manager has been able to drop Beckham, even Steve McLaren couldn't go through with it in the end.

Obviously the inclusion of Walcott paid off, three goals and a hugely professional performance from the 19-year old making just his second international start. It was stunning to see him have the potency and threat of a winger with the ball but still have a predatory instinct of a centre forward, reminds of another young protege and look where he is now.

Thirdly and maybe the defining point of England victory last night, being able to pass the ball. England second goal in-particular almost bought a tear to my eye last night. Not because it gave the team a two goal advantage but because it symbolised everything England sides haven't been able to do for as long as I've been watching them.

For years now we have been at teams mercy because of our inability to keep the ball. Portugal, France and Brazil have all put us to the sword and punished us for our poor ball retention, is this the time where we turn the corner. I tell you now no matter who turns out in an England shirt, if the team keep the ball and pass it well they will finally fulfil there potential.

Other plus's include the performance of Emile Heskey, whose hold up a play and the way he held the line was immense and exactly the sort of thing England needed to frustrate the Croatian defence.

And for once Wayne Rooney turned up in a Manchester United shirt and put in a pretty good performance, his ball through to Walcott for the forth goal wasn't difficult but was played superbly by the England number nine.

Also for once England didn't see the need to play with a out-and-out holding midfield player. Both Gareth Barry and Frank Lampard, who actually looked effective in an England shirt for once, interchanged and worked for each other something that I have never seen from a middle of England's midfield.

Any negatives?? Well on the face of it no. The side looked solid and dependable and actually looked like they knew what they were doing. John Terry still worries me a little, he still isn't the commanding presence that he should be in England defense, but that is scrapping the barrel.

Next month we will see the start of the qualifying campaign at home as we host Kazakhstan and then travel to Belarus. These games will shape out qualifying campaign and give us a real idea of where the team is at heading in to 2009. The road to South Africa 2010 has truly started, its nice to see England have joined the party.