Frank Lampard double fires 5-star England
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CHISINAU (AFP) - Frank Lampard ensured England made a smooth start on the road to Brazil as the Chelsea midfielder bagged a brace in his side's 5-0 demolition of Moldova in Friday's opening World Cup qualifier.
After England's tame Euro 2012 quarter-final exit against Italy, it was essential for Roy Hodgson's side to deliver a convincing display in Chisinau and Lampard's 24th and 25th international goals were the catalyst for a ruthless rout of the Group H minnows.
Lampard gave England the perfect start when he converted a penalty and he was on the scoresheet again before half-time, while Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe also netted in the first period and James Milner and Leighton Baines added late goals to kill off the out-classed Moldovans.
Ukraine should provide a sterner test when they visit Wembley on Tuesday, but this was a promising start to England's bid to reach the 2014 World Cup.
