John Terry heads for leading role again

What has caught Capello's eye is the way the Chelsea captain has embraced a tough training regime in the week after one of the most devastating episodes in his career. The costly penalty miss in the Champions League Final in Moscow reduced Terry to tears but there was no sign of any emotional hangover at Wembley last night.

Terry's goal in a fairly ordinary end of season friendly against the USA is little consolation for missing the spot-kick that would have given the Blues the European title but it at least demonstrates quite emphatically that he's back in business and will not allow any disappointment to diminish his career prospects.

"I was delighted to see him score," said Capello. "I think it was important for him to score. I am happy for him and the team. Now he can go on holiday happy."

Capello plans to announce his choice of permanent captain before the August friendly against the Czech Republic and the way Terry has bounced back from his big disappointment will give the Italian much to think about during the summer.

"John Terry is a leader - for Chelsea and the national team," Capello added. "The captaincy will not be an easy decision and even at this moment I am still undecided. But when I've made up my mind I will talk with the players first."

While there is no doubt that Ferdinand is a class act at centre back, Terry is always likely to crown a powerful, uncomplicated performance with the kind of goal that illuminated an indifferent first-half display by England.

Together, Barking-born Terry and Peckham's Ferdinand give England a mix of strength and mobility in the heart of the defence. There can be few better partnerships anywhere in world football and it is a great shame that they will not be testing themselves in the European Championship next month.

The USA team were simply too lightweight to trouble such defensive thoroughbreds and lacked the cunning to sustain any real attacking momentum. Owen Hargreaves was perhaps England's most effective player, diligently patrolling in front of the back four.

Gerrard was busy enough on the left but it is clearly not his best position, as he reminded us with his goal in the 59th minute. A beautifully weighted pass from substitute Gareth Barry sent the Liverpool midfield player hurtling through the very heart of the American defence. His cool shot into the far corner of the net was his 13th goal for England.

That, following Terry's thudding header from David Beckham's free kick, ended the match as a spectacle. Beckham, playing his 101st match for his country, made a positive contribution before being substituted at half time. He may no longer be as effective against more physically demanding opponents.

Although Wayne Rooney failed to score, and remains prone to a reckless tackle or two, he used his energy to good effect as the support striker. He linked well with Gerrard but seemed to have little rapport with Jermain Defoe.

The little Portsmouth goalscorer had a fabulous chance to open the scoring after 33 minutes but his sidefoot volley from Gerrard's cross went wastefully wide from close range. It was his chance to stake a claim ahead of the injured Michael Owen - and he fluffed his lines.

This was no classic England performance but perhaps the most encouraging of Capello's three games in charge. "I saw a lot of things that pleased me," he said. "We had good movement, we pressed the ball quickly and when it was possible we passed the ball."

Capello today trims seven Chelsea and Manchester United players from his squad before they fly off to Trinidad for Sunday's friendly in Port of Spain. Not quite the same as flying off for Euro 2008 but in the circumstances it will have to do.