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McClaren confident of qualification for Euro 2008
Last updated at 10:52am on 07.06.07England coach Steve McClaren said qualification was 'in their own hands now' after their comprehensive 3-0 victory over Estonia.
A David Beckham-inspired performance put England back on course for Euro 2008 qualification - especially with Group E rivals Russia and Croatia drawing 0-0.
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Although England remain fourth they are now within a point of Russia and have cut the difference with Croatia to three. Israel, who have played a match more, are also three points ahead.
McClaren said: "We have still got a lot to prove - we can't think we have turned the corner because we haven't yet.
"But it's in our hands now, this was a big result for us - we had to win it, we won it comfortably and professionally and that puts us back in the group.
"Four of the last five games are at Wembley and we saw on Friday what a great atmosphere and home it's going to be for England."
McClaren hailed Beckham as "immense" after the Real Madrid midfielder created goals for Peter Crouch and Michael Owen.
England had been set on their way by Joe Cole's excellent finish from a Crouch header.
McClaren said: "David was immense. He has set up three of the four goals we have scored since he came back and that's why he's in the team.
"He got a knock early on but didn't want to come off and when he's playing like that he's invaluable to us but once we got the second and third we could allow him to take a breather.
"Now he can get back to Real Madrid and try and win a medal."
Owen's goal, his first in competitive football since December 2005, means he is now England's record scorer in competitive internationals having now overtaken Gary Lineker's tally of 22.
Owen's overall total is now 37 in 82 caps and McClaren said: "I'm so pleased for him getting that goal because it's so important for a goalscorer when coming back from injury. His work-rate was phenomenal."
In terms of the match in the A.La Coq Arena, McClaren believed his side passed a very tricky test with flying colours.
He said: "For the first 20 minutes, we set about our task, won challenges, competed.
"Eventually we knew they'd tire and we'd catch them and open them up.
"We needed to score that first goal - we got it. Then the rewards were in the second half, getting two more.
"We've gained a lot over the last two and a half weeks in the get-togethers and in the games that we've had.
"Friday gave us a confidence, a belief that we've shown tonight."
Estonia's Dutch coach Jelle Goes admitted he was surprised Beckham had not been included for England's previous qualifiers.
Goes said: "If you see him now and against Brazil it is strange.
"In the second part of the season for Real Madrid he started to play marvellously and you can see how important he is and how the team is making use of his qualities.
"That's why David Beckham is in the team - two great deliveries, 2-0, 3-0 and the game is over."
Goes also brushed aside suggestions Estonia should have dealt with Crouch better after he headed on a long throw to Cole for England's opener.
"How can you defend against an Eiffel tower like Crouch - you can climb on his neck but then it's a penalty," said Goes, who also announced he will step down as Estonia coach when his contract expires in November.
