Cole's injury mars England victory

LONDON, England -- England maintained their bid for Euro 2008 qualification with a routine 3-0 win over Estonia on Saturday, but had defender Ashley Cole stretchered off in the second half at Wembley.

Steve McClaren's side, who netted all three goals in the first 33 minutes, have a five-point lead over third-placed Russia ahead of Wednesday's Group E trip to Moscow but have played one more match.

Croatia kept their three-point lead at the top of the group with a 1-0 defeat of Israel in Zagreb.

Arsenal's Eduardo Da Silva scored in the 52nd minute.

Cole is a major doubt for England's match in Moscow after the Chelsea left-back went off with an ankle injury following a clash with Estonia striker Kaimar Saag in the 48th minute.

"He rocked his ankle blocking a shot," McClaren said. "It doesn't look good, but injuries can settle down in 24 hours and it is a critical period.

"We'll know more on Sunday evening when we reassemble. They have X-ray machines here so we're waiting for the results."

The incident halted England's momentum, and the match never recovered as the Estonians - who have now lost nine of their 11 outings - were happy to limit the damage.

Winger Shaun Wright-Phillips gave England the lead in the 10th minute, gathering a pass from Micah Richards and skipping into the penalty area before firing a low shot under the body of goalkeeper Mart Poom.

Two goals in three minutes then killed off the visitors, who were beaten by the same margin by England in Tallinn in June.

Wayne Rooney netted for the first time in more than three years in the 32nd minute, with his low shot deflecting past Poom off Raio Piiroja after Joe Cole beat Aleksander Dmitrijev down the left flank.

It was the Manchester United striker's first competitive goal for England since the Euro 2004 finals as he made his first international outing in seven months after injuries and suspension.

Taavi Rahn then headed a spectacular own-goal past Poom from 15 yards out following a cross by Ashley Cole.

With such a comfortable lead, McClaren brought on Everton defender Joleon Lescott at half-time for his debut to replace Rio Ferdinand -- who went into the match with one yellow card and the possibility of being suspended for the Russia game.

Midfielder Frank Lampard was also brought off the bench with 20 minutes to go, replacing striker Michael Owen after missing the past two qualifiers with a thigh injury.

England had two late chances to add to their tally, but Steven Gerrard passed to Joe Cole when he should have shot himself, and the Chelsea winger then wasted his own opportunity in injury-time after linking well with Lescott. E-mail to a friend

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