The 10 best England team performances in the Premier League era

#4 Croatia 1-4 England – World Cup 2010: Qualifying Round

It felt like fate when England were drawn in the same qualification group for the 2010 World Cup as Croatia. In 2007, it had been Slaven Bilic’s side that had beaten Steve McClaren’s England, to finally deny them a spot at Euro 2008.

A disastrous result that marked the lowest point for England since Graham Taylor’s horrible pre-Premier League reign.

New boss Fabio Capello had won 4 of 5 friendlies and, got his side off to a winning start in their qualifying campaign with a victory over Andorra. But, going to Zagreb, it still felt like England had a hell of a lot to prove.

The Italian proved he was willing to risk it all by starting young Arsenal star Theo Walcott, who had notoriously gone to the 2006 World Cup as a 16-year old and spent the tournament as an observer.

It was a risk that paid off in spades. Croatia’s defence never looked like they could cope with the sheer pace of Walcott down the right flank, and with Wayne Rooney, at the peak of his powers, linking up well with a surprising strike partner in Emile Heskey, it only looked like a matter of time before England would score.

Then, the goal came from Walcott, a crisp finish following a botched clearance, made it even sweeter.

England continued to dominate the proceedings with Frank Lampard and Gareth Barry running the midfield, and early in the second half, Croatia suffered a second hammer blow, when Robert Kovac was sent off for an elbow on Joe Cole.

From there it was more of the Walcott Show. He scored his second goal after a wonderful lay-off from Rooney before, he himself deservedly got on the scoresheet following a cross from Jermaine Jenas.

Croatia pulled a goal back through Mario Mandzukic, following a questionable challenge on John Terry, but then Walcott completed a stunning hat-trick just 5 minutes later, slotting home coolly following a quick break.

It was a shockingly brilliant performance that showed Capello had the managerial ability to get the best out of his players in a way that McClaren clearly didn’t, and more importantly, it was a great slice of revenge for England, following the debacle a year earlier. Ten years later it probably still hasn’t been topped.