The Weekend Round-up

by Danny Wright

England gave their qualifications hopes a huge boost with a convincing 3-0 win over a poor Estonia side at Wembley. England never really got out of second gear but managed to score three past their beleaguered opponents, as Shaun Wright-Phillips got the ball rolling on ten minutes as his angled shots found its way through Mart Poom’s legs, much to the embarrassment of the Watford keeper. Wayne Rooney scored his first competitive England since 2004 as he deflected effort somehow crept home to make it two as the hosts turned the screw. Estonia did get on the score sheet – but much to their dismay it was in the wrong net as Taavi Rahn headed home from all of 20 yards to settle the tie. England can qualify for next summers championships should they beat Russia on the Moscow astro-turf on Wednesday night, but they will have to do it without the injured Ashley Cole who is set the miss the crunch clash. The nation hopes and prays Phil Neville doesn’t play instead.

Scotland’s renaissance continues as they beat Ukraine 3-1 at Hampden, with it looking likely the Tartan Army will be making their way to Austria and Switzerland. Alex McLeish’s men got off to a dream start as Kenny Miller headed home after three minutes, with the visitor’s hitting back through captain Andriy Shevchenko, but that wasn’t enough to ruin the party as James McFadden turned on the style; first he set up Lee McCulloch for Scotland’s second, and the Everton man hit the winner once again as fired home to seal the win after 68 minutes. Scotland head group B, leading Italy by one point and France by two who both their qualifiers against Georgia (2-0) and Faroe Islands (6-0) respectively to keep the pressure on the Scots.

Republic of Ireland’s qualifying chances look bleak as they fired blanks with Germany at Croke Park, a dour 0-0 the final result. The point was enough for the visitors to qualify, with Jens Lehmann playing his first game in a blue moon. The German couldn’t keep out of trouble though, getting himself booked for failing to give the ball back to the Irish players after a throw-in.

Wales capitulated to an embarrassing defeat to the hands of Cyprus, 3-1 the final score. John Toshack’s men thought they had found the tonic after James Collins tucked home a baby-faced Gareth Bale free-kick, but lackadaisical defending from set-plays cost the Welsh dear as Yiannis Okkas hit a brace and Konstantinos Charalampidis sealed the win.

Northern Ireland take on Sweden in Stockholm on Wednesday needing a win to boost their qualification hopes, but Nigel Worthington’s men will have to do without winger Keith Gillespie and Johnny Evans who pulled out of the squad earlier this week.

Leeds’ revival continues to gain momentum despite dropping their first home points of the season in a 1-1 draw with Leyton Orient. The Yorkshire club are now up to 12th place with 14 points having miraculously recovered from a 15 point penalty deduction. There was more good news for Leeds this week as keeper Casper Ankergren was awarded the League One Player of the Month Award for September, with manager Dennis Wise scooping the manager's accolade.

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