Defoe leads way in England romp

The Tottenham striker lifted the 73,000 crowd by netting after only three minutes and added a second just after the hour mark.

Substitute Adam Johnson made sure of the points in the 83rd minute before Defoe completed his treble four minutes from time. Wayne Rooney helped to set up all four goals.

England got off to a dream start with Defoe putting them ahead after only three minutes. Wayne Rooney held the ball up before picking out the run of Ashley Cole with his floated pass over the Bulgaria defence.

His first-time shot was blocked by Bulgarian keeper Nikolay Mihaylov but the Chelsea defender was able to play the loose ball across the six yard box - and Defoe did the rest. It was the Tottenham striker's 13th goal for his country in his 44th appearance and just the tonic needed after the World Cup nightmare.

Joe Hart made his first save after 20 minutes when he kept out an attempt from team-mate Glen Johnson. He directed a cross from Valeri Bojinov towards his own goal instead of behind for a corner.

There was also a flash of Rooney at his best when he attempted an audacious chip from just outside the box which was finger-tipped over by Mihaylov. But England had a let-off after 53 minutes when Ivelin Popov's low drive beat the dive of Hart but flashed just past the far post after he had been played in by Bojinov.

Defoe then doubled England's lead in the 61st minute. Gareth Barry, Steven Gerrard and Rooney were involved in the build-up before the clinical Defoe slipped his shot through the legs of Mihaylov.

Adam Johnson curled a shot just past the post after James Milner had found him in plenty of space, while Defoe fired a 20 yard effort over the bar as he searched for his hat-trick.

With six minutes left, Rooney was again the creator, this time for Adam Johnson who cut inside before beating Mihaylov at his near post. Defoe was not to be denied and he completed his treble with a left-footed cross shot with Rooney once again the provider.