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Lampard double helps England to triumph

Moldova 0-5 England
A first-half double from midfielder Frank Lampard set Roy Hodgson's men on their way to a comfortable opening Group H win in Chisinau.

Frank Lampard drives England ahead from the penalty spot in Chisinau
Frank Lampard drives England ahead from the penalty spot in Chisinau ©Getty Images

England's Group H campaign began without a hitch, as two first-half goals from Frank Lampard helped them to a straightforward win against Moldova in Chisinau.

Roy Hodgson's men got a flying start thanks to Lampard's early penalty, before the Chelsea FC midfielder headed his second just before the half-hour. Jermain Defoe drove in a third on his 50th appearance soon after, with James Milner and Leighton Baines rounding off the win in the second period.

Any plans the underdog hosts may have had to hold and frustrate England went out of the window after just four minutes, when Tom Cleverley's goalbound shot struck the arm of Semion Bulgaru, allowing Lampard to drill the opener in low from the spot.

It was all England from that point on, as Defoe turned just wide, before Stanislav Namaşco saved well from the Tottenham Hotspur FC forward and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Steven Gerrard fired a free-kick over and Glen Johnson again forced Namaşco into action, before the Liverpool FC right-back floated a cross onto Lampard's head, allowing the Chelsea man to guide in the second.

Three minutes later Defoe took advantage to stretch the lead after Oxlade-Chamberlain slipped him into the box. Cleverly pulled an effort wide after the break, before neat passing allowed Milner to fire his first England goal into the corner. Baines's deflected free-kick ensured a resounding win.