Goals from Shaun Wright-Phillips, Micah Richards and a wonder-strike from Michael Owen helped England to a comfortable 3-0 win over Israel.

There was worrying news for England, however, with the controversially included Steven Gerrard seen hobbling off during the second half with cramp.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez was known to be concerned that his captain was selected for the match and will be further incensed as, despite all the hype, it was not he but Gareth Barry who stood out most in Steve McClaren's midfield.

After a bright if unspectacular start, Wright-Phillips put England ahead on 20 minutes, finishing neatly at the far post after sneaking behind the Israel defence to convert a left wing Joe Cole cross.

England missed several good chances to extend their lead before - in one movement - Owen flicked a Barry pass in the air, spun and half-volleyed into the top right five minutes after the restart.

And the match was over as a contest when Richards powered a Barry Corner into the roof of the net on 66 minutes, Israel's protests that keeper Dudu Aouate had been impeded falling on deaf ears and resulting in a booking for Dudu.

It was a professional if unspectacular performance by England for whom the selections most questioned by the fans and media were the most impressive at the new Wembley.

Wright-Phillips, whose career appeared to have stalled after moving to Chelsea, was a constant danger with his direct running and early crossing and seemed to have regained the confidence he had at Manchester City, unafraid to take players on and causing serious problems for hapless Israel left back Yoav Ziv.

Heskey, meanwhile, was revelling in his first cap for three years and did Wigan proud as the first player owned by the club to represent England at senior level. The former Leicester, Birmingham and Liverpool man missed two good first half chances but was physical and direct and received a standing ovation when he was replaced by Andy Johnson midway through the second half.

And Aston Villa captain Barry - whose inclusion in the England team Eurosport.com have been demanding for two seasons now - turned in a man-of-the-match performance as a slick and capable replacement for the rested Owen Hargreaves.

The versatile 26-year-old worked hard in the centre of the park and showed that he is an excellent passer as well as a grafter, with intelligent use of the ball and two assists. Barry should now retain his place for Wednesday's crunch tie against Russia, whether it is at the expense of Gerrard or Hargreaves.

Israel, meanwhile, offered little in the way of creative input and looked out of their depth at times, reliant on some good saves by Dudu and wayward finishing by England to keep in the match by the break.

They looked a touch brighter by the pace half-time substitute Toto Tammuz offered, but his touch was poor on the two occasions he raced clear of the England defence.

England could have made it 4-0 late on when sub Andy Johnson freed Owen, who rounded Dudu but saw his finish blocked on the line by Ziv.

The win puts England back in contention for a qualification spot for Euro 2008, lying third behind Russia and Croatia in Group E although the Croats play Estonia later on Saturday.

Russia, meanwhile, continue to lead Group E after a 3-0 win over FYR Macedonia, despite seeing goalkeeper Vladimir Gabulov sent off midway through the second half, their guests missing the subsequent penalty.

Aleksandr Kerzhakov, Andrei Arshavin and Konstantin Zyryanov scored in the win for Russia, who lead the Group on 18 points, one ahead of England.

Reda Maher / Eurosport