Poland victory gets Eriksson and England out of trouble

England's 2-1 World Cup qualifying victory over Poland has silenced critics of both the team and their under-fire manager Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Four points from two games away to their main rivals in Group Six is a highly satisfactory start on the road to the 2006 finals in Germany and puts the furore after last weekend's 2-2 draw with Austria into perspective.

Though it took an own goal by defender Arkadiusz Glowacki to beat a well-drilled Poland side, Eriksson's men were good value for their win at the Slaski Stadium.

The fighting spirit that went missing in Vienna - where England let slip a 2-0 lead - was back on show and 21-year-old Jermain Defoe has given Eriksson a welcome selection problem up front.

Unfazed by his first international start, Defoe showed the skill, agility and goal sense which has made him a handful for premier league defences with Tottenham Hotspur, and he capped his performance with a fine goal in the first half.

When striker Wayne Rooney returns from the foot injury which has sidelined him since June, Eriksson will have to make a painful choice between the teenager who lit up Euro 2004, Defoe and the established but struggling Michael Owen.

On form alone, Owen ought to be a worried man ahead of the October 9 home game against Wales.

He has scored just four goals in his last 12 internationals although he did pressure Glowacki into turning Ashley Cole's low cross into the net.

Fortunately for Owen, Eriksson has a reputation for loyalty although goalkeeper David James has good reason to doubt this.

James paid the price for his Vienna blunder, which handed Austria their equaliser, and his replacement in Chorzow, Paul Robinson, appeared much more secure between England's posts.

Robinson is now favourite to play in next month's double-header against Wales and Azerbaijan.

Eriksson's decision to bring in Defoe and Robinson answered the critics of his management style and team selection, and the Swede is likely to continue with his experiment of playing two left-backs - Cole in defence and Wayne Bridge in midfield.

To add to the coach's satisfaction, Rooney and central defenders Sol Campbell and Rio Ferdinand should be back for England's next outings.