Sven happy but real test starts in Austria

The captain and his manager knew they were both under pressure.

"I talked to him and said that the only thing we could do was win football matches," said Eriksson. "As many as possible."

Beckham's virtuoso performance came not a moment too soon. After 52 minutes last night, with him having contributed significantly to England's two-goal lead, Eriksson sent on Shaun Wright-Phillips for his debut.

The adopted son of Ian Wright took Beckham's place on the right flank, as the England captain moved inside, and we soon saw what an asset it can be to have a genuine winger in the wide positions.

Wright-Phillips is far from the finished article at this level but, unlike Beckham, he can run at defenders and take the ball past them. Beckham has many great qualities but Wright-Phillips demonstrated what England miss sometimes when he picked the ball up, swept down the right flank and sent a low shot into the far corner of the net in the 72nd minute.

"I think he showed that he's ready," said Eriksson. "It must have been like a dream for him."

The 23-year-old Manchester City winger at least gives Eriksson an interesting option as he now prepares for the opening qualifying ties against Austria and Poland next month. Similarly, Chelsea's Glen Johnson and Tottenham's Jermain Defoe, both among the six substitutes called into secondhalf action, deserve inclusion in the squad for the qualifying games.

Sadly, Keiron Dyer, who was jeered by the Newcastle fans in St James' Park whenever he touched the ball following his alleged row with Sir Bobby Robson, had little chance to stake a claim for a place on England's left flank.

However, encouragingly for Eriksson, his big-name players such as Beckham, Owen, Steve Gerrard and Frank Lampard showed no Euro hangover. They are going to be key figures in the opening stages of the qualifying competition when England will be without Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney, Sol Campbell and Paul Scholes, who is now retired from international football.

The left side of midfield, though, remains a problem which Eriksson can only partly solve by playing Gerrard out of position. He may once again toy with the Ashley Cole-Wayne Bridge combination but that would probably cost Lampard his place if he continued to use Nicky Butt in the holding role.

Less problematic is the centre-back partnership. Tottenham's Ledley King is growing in confidence and, in the absence of Ferdinand and Jonathan Woodgate, will almost certainly line up alongside John Terry against the Austrians.

Meanwhile, Eriksson will be relieved that England got back on track last night though he should caution against over optimism. His team will face a far more relevant measure of World Cup potential in Austria and Poland. "That's when the really serious stuff begins," he said.