England's resurgent Euro 2008 qualifying campaign continued as they beat Estonia 3-0 at Wembley.

First-half goals from Shaun Wright-Phillips, Wayne Rooney and an own goal from midfielder Taavi Rahn gave Steve McClaren's side a victory that keeps them in the top two in Group E.

The major selection news before the match was Portsmouth centre back Sol Campbell earning his 70th cap - and his first since the 2006 World Cup - as he came into the team to replace injured England captain John Terry.

Steven Gerrard took the armband for the home side, and was partnered in midfield by Aston Villa's Gareth Barry for the third international match in a row, despite the return to fitness of Frank Lampard.

The visitors kicked off but they almost conceded a goal within the first minute, as England immediately won possession and streamed forward. Gerrard slipped the ball through to Michael Owen, on his own in the box, but the flag was already up for offside as goalkeeper Mart Poom slid in to parry the shot.

A minute later Lindpere was allowed the time and space to run from midfield and take a shot, but his effort was well wide of Paul Robinson's goal.

After that England took control of the game, with all of their play going through Barry and Gerrard, and they took the lead on ten minutes.

Micah Richards slipped a ball through on the right for Shaun Wright-Phillips to run onto in the box, and the Chelsea winger slotted a calm finish underneath Poom at the near post.

Wayne Rooney was chasing his first goal for England in over three years, and he tried an audacious chip from distance that looked to have Poom beaten, but it landed on top of the net.

The Manchester United striker got his reward on the half hour though. Barry fed Joe Cole on the left, who moved forward before putting in a low cross for Michael Owen. The ball was just behind the Newcastle forward, so he left it to roll on for Rooney, who struck the ball off his own standing shin and it ricocheted past Poom at the far post.

Estonia were three down just two minutes later. Ashley Cole carried the ball into the final third and fired in a cross towards Rooney from the left. Midfielder Taavi Rahn attempted to head the cross away for a corner, but instead steered it into the near post, giving his goalkeeper and captain no chance.

It was hard luck for the visitors who had, even after the first goal, been determined to take the game to England, but a lack of cutting edge in the final third left them exposed when they lost possession, and they seemed very relieved when the half time whistle blew.

The second half saw a debut for Everton defender Joleon Lescott, who came on for Rio Ferdinand. The Manchester United centre back, along with Joe and Ashley Cole, was only one yellow card away from a suspension, and manager McClaren was keen to reduce the risk of that happening.

Soon McClaren was forced to bring off Ashley Cole too. A lack of communication between Lescott and Cole in dealing with a long ball invited pressure from Estonia forward Saag, and in the tussle Cole tripped and injured his ankle. The Chelsea full back was stretchered off, seemingly in agony, and was replaced by Phil Neville.

The tempo of the game dropped dramatically after that incident, with the home supporters only roused to make any real noise when a small round of boos greeted Frank Lampard's substitution for Michael Owen with 20 minutes to go.

Estonia enjoyed their best spell of the match, which included a run of four consecutive corner kicks, but once again they were not able to create any decent chances.

Gerrard could have made it four late on, as he and Joe Cole both broke free and onside in the Estonia half. Defender Andrei Stepanov sprinted back to stop Gerrard shooting from the edge of the box, and the centre back's positioning was perfect to block Cole's shot after the England captain feinted and passed to the Chelsea man.

In the other match in Group E this evening, leaders Croatia maintained their three point advantage with a 1-0 win at home to Israel, with Arsenal striker Eduardo da Silva's 52nd minute goal the difference between the two sides.

Tony Mabert / Eurosport