London, Sep 6 (DPA) England warmed up for next week’s World Cup qualifier against Croatia by beating Slovenia 2-1 in an international friendly at Wembley.
A controversial penalty, converted by Frank Lampard, and a goal from substitute Jermain Defoe were enough to give England victory Saturday.
Zlatan Ljubijankic pulled one back with a header five minutes from time but it was too little to prevent Fabio Capello’s side from claiming victory.
England, with seven wins out of seven in their World Cup qualifying campaign, will need to step up their game against Croatia in midweek though after a largely unconvincing performance.
Slovenia were the better side early on and will consider themselves desperately unlucky to have gone behind when Rooney was awarded a penalty just after the half-hour mark.
The Manchester United striker appeared to pull the shirt of Bostjan Cesar before tumbling to the ground and the referee Jonas Eriksson of Sweden awarded a penalty, much to the shock of the Slovenia players.
Frank Lampard ignored the protests though and kept a cool head to fire England in front.
That prompted a better spell for England but Rooney missed a sitter from three yards and Steve Gerrard curled a good effort just wide.
England made a host of changes at half-time with Defoe replacing Emile Heskey, while James Milner came on for Gerrard, Aaron Lennon replaced Shaun Wright-Phillips and Michael Carrick took the place of Lampard.
And Defoe pushed his claims for a starting berth with another bright performance and on 63 minutes he doubled England’s lead, taking Lennon’s pass in his stride and lashing in a smart finish.
England took their foot off the pedal a little after that and Ljubijankic made them pay when he beat the England defence to head in a goal for Slovenia five minutes from time, but the home side hung on to clinch victory.
rounak