Jermain Defoe scored a hat trick as England opened European Championship qualifying on Friday by coasting to a 4-0 victory over Bulgaria in a display of attacking efficiency missing during a woeful World Cup campaign.
Defoe's first goal into an unguarded net came just three minutes into England's first competitive match since being eliminated by Germany in the second round in South Africa.
The Tottenham striker, who was initially ruled out of the match with a groin injury, added another in the 61st when he slipped the ball between Bulgaria goalkeeper Nikolay Mihaylov's legs.
And Defoe curled in the third in the 86th, two minutes after substitute Adam Johnson marked his first competitive England appearance with a goal.
"People know what I'm good at - I'll always try to move and when I get a chance try to take it," Defoe said. "When you play with a partner up front it takes time to gel but Wayne Rooney is a great player and if I make the runs I know he'll find me."
While Rooney still hasn't scored for England since last September, the Manchester United striker played a part in all four goals.
"I played Rooney in a position different than usual and he did very well," Capello said. "He had to stay just in front of the two central midfielders and from this position to go forward and to be free."
A series of superb second-half saves by Joe Hart were crucial in securing a win that should ease the pressure on coach Capello ahead of Tuesday's second Euro 2012 qualifier at Switzerland on Tuesday.
Hart was one of four changes to the side that was routed 4-1 by Germany in Bloemfontein in June, with the Manchester City goalkeeper replacing the 40-year-old David James as Capello fulfills his pledge to bring through fresh talent.
There was a new central defensive partnership of Michael Dawson and Phil Jagielka, with John Terry injured and Matthew Upson dropped. But Dawson's first full start was cut short early in the second half when he was carried off with a leg injury.
The injury last week to Frank Lampard enabled Steven Gerrard to occupy his favored central midfield berth, while the Chelsea midfielder's starting place was taken by Theo Walcott.
Fans were largely supportive of the team, with little of the booing that was heard at Wembley Stadium during last month's unconvincing 2-1 victory over Hungary in a friendly.
The early goal helped win over the disgruntled supporters. After Rooney chipped the ball into the penalty area, Ashley Cole's first-time shot was only parried by Mihaylov and the left back passed to Defoe, who swept the ball in from six yards.
Defoe was initially set to miss the game to have groin surgery, but it was postponed after he managed to shake off the problem.
England was playing with verve and confidence, but Hart had to react quickly to produce a save when Glen Johnson inadvertently turned a cross toward the bottom corner of his own net in the 20th.
A well-timed tackle from Jagielka also halted Valeri Bojinov's run, while Ivelin Popov beat Hart at the start of the second half but his shot drifted wide.
A more threatening shot from Stanislav Angelov was pushed away by Hart in the 61st.
The save proved pivotal as the home side sprinted forward on a swift counterattack that produced the second goal when Rooney slipped the ball through to Defoe.
"Just when we had found our game we conceded the second one and the game was over," Bulgaria coach Stanimir Stoilov said. "England scored three goals on the counterattack which does not speak well for us. We left too much space in the middle."
There was another smart block by Hart in the 65th, with his right hand denying Dimitar Rangelov from close range to maintain the two-goal cushion.
Johnson, who had replaced Walcott, made it three by striking through Veselin Minev's legs after Rooney slotted the ball across to the Manchester City winger.
Rooney turned provider again to allow Defoe to complete his hat trick by curling the ball into the top right.
The fact Defoe was so prolific showed Bulgaria how much they are missing Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov, who has retired from international football.
"It is a big loss not to have Berbatov," Stoilov said. "If he had played today it would probably have been a different result."
Lineups:
England: Joe Hart, Glen Johnson, Ashley Cole, Steven Gerrard, Michael Dawson (Gary Cahill, 57), Phil Jagielka, Theo Walcott (Adam Johnson, 74), Gareth Barry, Jermain Defoe (Ashley Young, 87), Wayne Rooney, James Milner.
Bulgaria: Nikolay Mihaylov, Zhivko Milanov, Stanislav Manolev (Veselin Minev, 66), Stiliyan Petrov, Stanislav Angelov, Chavdar Yankov, Valeri Bojinov (Dimitar Rangelov, 63), Iliyan Stoyanov, Ivan Ivanov, Ivelin Popov (Georgi Peev, 79), Martin Petrov.
