England kick off their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign in style on Saturday as they romped to a 5-0 win over minnows Andorra in what was Steve McClaren's first competitive game in charge.

Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe both weighed in with a brace, whilst the impressive Steven Gerrard, flourishing on the right of midfield, scored the goal of the game with a scorching half-volley in the first half.

McClaren's charges had the easiest of afternoons as a dismal Andorra side failed to register a single shot on goal, whilst Owen Hargreaves also hit the post twice in what could have been an even more emphatic victory.

Inside five minutes Crouch began the onslaught with his ninth goal in his last nine international appearances, but it was strike partner Defoe who kick-started the move with some great hold-up play outside the box.

As the Tottenham striker turned he played in Ashley Cole and the left back got a touch that sent the ball square to the awaiting Crouch. The Liverpool man then showed good poise to curl a precise shot past Andorra keeper Koldo as McClaren's first competitive game began at a canter.

Gerrard was revelling in his right-sided role after McClaren's decision to leave erstwhile captain David Beckham out in the cold, and he duly scored his tenth international goal on 13 minutes after a deep cross from Cole.

Javier Martin Sanchez misjudged the flight of the ball at the back post and Gerrard was perfectly placed to control with his chest and then fire home a pounding half-volley that thundered past the hapless Koldo.

With a comfort zone quickly established the Old Trafford crowd went flat, but England were determined to add to the tally and Hargreaves, appearing at the ground he hoped to be playing his club football at, rattled the post with a free kick from the left as he looked to underline his new-found status as a crowd favourite for The Three Lions.

Gerrard continued to impress on the right and fired in a precise cross that picked out Defoe before the Spurs striker had a volley blocked, but the chance was just a dummy run for England's third goal on 38 minutes.

It was Gerrard again who acted as the provider as he completely outfoxed Sanchez with a routine of step-overs before producing an inch-perfect cross that dipped right onto the boot of Defoe. The striker then volleyed emphatically past Koldo from close range for only his second international goal.

Within six minutes he nearly had his third after a shocking back-header, but after leaping into the air to flick the ball past Koldo with the outside of his boot he saw the keeper produce a fine save.

From the resulting corner shocking defending from Andorra allowed Phil Neville to waltz into the penalty box, and with numerous England bodies queuing up to convert Lampard headed over the bar as the first half drew to a close.

When England beat Greece 4-0 in McClaren's first game in charge they failed to add to their tally after the break, but just a minute after the restart Defoe ensured there would be no repeat as he stole in behind Oscar Sonejee and Fernando Silva to collect a deep header by Neville.

After a neat cushioned touch that took the ball into his path the diminutive hit-man then finished easily past Koldo as he continued to shake off the disappointment of missing out on the World Cup under Sven Goran Eriksson.

Things got worse for the under-fire Andorrans when Marc Puyol had to be stretchered off with a nasty looking injury after Cole accidentally trod on his leg, and Manolo Jimenez was the man asked to take the field in his place as England continued to control the game with ease.

Defoe was denied a hat-trick after 57 minutes when his toe-poke was expertly tipped away by Koldo's outstretched hand, and Hargreaves was also desperately unlucky as he hit the woodwork for a second time with a superb drilled effort from 25 yards.

With the game in the bag, McClaren took the opportunity to give Manchester United's Kieran Richardson another cap on his home turf in place of Stewart Downing, with fellow wide man Aaron Lennon also coming on for Neville as England switched to a back three.

McClaren's change paid dividends immediately as the irrepressible Lennon skipped free on the right, and waiting in the box for the cross was Crouch who put his header past Koldo.

Andy Johnson was also introduced, denying Defoe the chance to claim a hat-trick, and the Everton man looked keen to open his international account as a timely block denied him an early shot at goal.

The striker nearly turned provider with ten minutes to go as he ran in behind to collect a fine ball from Richardson, but after his pull-back Crouch could only steer his shot wide of the upright.

Hargreaves had another shot tipped over by Koldo as England's grip on the tie refused to loosen, and as The Three Lions closed out the game with minimal fuss Jimenez nearly earned himself a red card with a nasty tackle on Wes Brown.

Whilst they could undoubtedly have scored more against such poor opposition, McClaren's first competitive game ended as an unqualified success as England started their campaign with a professional and controlled rout.

Source: Xinhua