What the back pages of the papers say - September 11

Theo Walcott's amazing hat-trick buried the memory of Steve McClaren's disastrous reign as England thrashed World Cup rivals Croatia last night.

Also: An unexpected point slipped agonisingly from John Toshack's grasp as his young side paid a heavy price for their inexperience. Somerset tried to nullify the Durham pace attack by preparing a slow Taunton pitch, but still found themselves unable to cope with Steve Harmison yesterday.

THE SUN

Fabio Capello last night hailed Theo Walcott as world class for his hat-trick heroics against Croatia.

Also: Gianfranco Zola returns to London today after agreeing to become West Ham boss. Liverpool's Jamie Carragher has launched a scathing attack on the club's American owners.

DAILY MIRROR

Theo Walcott came of age last night with a brilliant hat-trick to give England a glorious victory in Zagreb.

Also: Blackburn last night vowed to fight tooth and nail to prevent Newcastle making an audacious swoop for Paul Ince. Manchester City are splashing out over £150,000 to jet home Robinho and their other South American stars to face Chelsea.

New venture? Michael Owen

DAILY STAR

Theo Walcott was the inspiration behind one of England's greatest results last night.

Also: Roy Keane has been branded "callous, insensitive and disrespectful" by outspoken Fifa chief Jack Warner. Albert Riera is targeting a second sensational debut success when he faces Manchester United on Saturday.

DAILY EXPRESS

Theo Walcott struck a glorious hat-trick for England last night in the total destruction of Croatia.

Also: Michael Owen has taken delivery of confidential plans for a massive £12million wonderland theme park on the Costa del Sol.

THE TIMES

On a night when Theo Walcott came of age with an unforgettable hat-trick and Fabio Capello showed why the Football Association pays him £6million a year, England made history with a hugely impressive 4-1 victory over Croatia to take a significant step towards the 2010 World Cup finals and restore some lost faith in the national team.

Also: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan, Manchester City's owner-in-waiting, will appoint a new board of directors once his £200million takeover of the Barclays Premier League club is completed next week.

DAILY TELEGRAPH

The end of the world, let alone the World Cup, was far from nigh in Zagreb.

Also: Chelsea have been accused of breaching Football Association rules in the infamous 'Battle of the Bridge' incident last season, when one of the club's groundsmen came to blows with Patrice Evra after their 2-1 win over champions Manchester United.

THE GUARDIAN

The sheer joy was mightier than even the achievement of wrecking Croatia's proud unbeaten record of 35 qualifying matches at home.

Also: The culture secretary, Andy Burnham, will today call on the Football Association to "rise to the challenge" posed to the game's future by unrestrained club takeovers, the dominance of the richest clubs and an era of increased match ticket prices.

THE INDEPENDENT

It was two years later than scheduled but when Theo Walcott marks his coming of age for England in this sort of style, frankly, who cares about the wait?