Liverpool ace Steven Gerrard says England made a "statement" with their 4-0 victory over Bulgaria.
Gerrard captained his country to their biggest victory since a 5-1 thrashing of Croatia almost a year earlier as their European Championship qualifying campaign got off to a flying start.
The Croatia win was arguably the high point of Fabio Capello's tenure as manager, after which England's form began to dip alarmingly, culminating in a debacle of a World Cup.
Friday night's margin of victory flattered Capello's men but there were definitely signs the players who had performed so miserably in South Africa had begun to find their feet again.
Gerrard said: "We've made a statement.
"I've said, after the disappointment of the World Cup, it's going to take time before this team can be really ready to challenge the big sides."
