England’s 2-1 victory on the friendly against Swizerland was, indeed, a happy start for Italian boss Fabio Capello. With a safe 4-5-1 formation at Wembley, which amazingly enough left Owen on the Bench, the English had a safe match today (so I hear). Since I did not watch this match, as the day was an international football galore, after the jump there is a nice summary.

From Chris Williams at goal.com

Jermaine Jenas opened the scoring five minutes before half-time, with Derdiyok levelling and Wright-Phillips restoring the advantage either side of the hour mark.

England were awkward at first but confident as the game progressed, with plenty of chances ensuring the fans went home happy.

First Half

Tonight’s game at Wembley was about the future, but also the past: a minute’s silence was held before kick-off to honour the victims of the Munich air crash who lost their lives 50 years ago today.

On the pitch, Fabio Capello outwitted the pundits with a slightly surprising XI. We knew the captain, but Gerrard’s three midfield counterparts were David Bentley, Jermaine Jenas and Joe Cole, with Gareth Barry anchoring behind.

Wes Brown got the nod at right-back, Ashley Cole on the left and Matthew Upson was chosen to partner Rio Ferdinand in the centre. David James was between the posts while at the other end Wayne Rooney was deployed as a lone front man. Only three of those who started McClaren’s final game began this one.

Switzerland boss Kobi Kuhn picked a strong side, with new Wolfsburg signing Diego Benaglio chosen in goal. Compact play and well-timed tackles marked the opening minutes. Switzerland were more than willing to match England for pace, at times catching the hosts in possession.

Tranquillo Barnetta fired in the first shot of the game; England retorted as Rooney headed Bentley’s free-kick wide and then forced a save when put through by Joe Cole. The United striker came close again, flicking from a narrow angle into the side netting, before Ferdinand header over.

At the other end, Barnetta fizzed one wide after Brown was caught napping. Senderos and Eggimann almost combined to nod home a Swiss corner, with England’s centre-backs nowhere, and Barnetta curled over a free-kick. Gerrard and Jenas were sitting too deep, the team failing retain possession and the red shirts remarkably distant and unfamiliar with one another. Cries of “there’s only one David Beckham” emanated from sections of the ground.

A moment of promise arose as Jenas broke the offside trap, but he delayed his pass and found the keeper ahead of Cole, who had made a terrific run. The Chelsea midfielder, perhaps the only Englishman to play near his potential before the break, came close with a turn-and-shot and then forced a fine parry from Benaglio after Rooney broke effectively.

Cole was involved heavily as the hosts took the lead on 40 minutes, cutting along the left bye-line after a terrific diagonal ball from Gerrard to the slide the ball in for Jenas to tap home.

Second Half

Capello made no changes at the break; Switzerland made three, including Lazio’s Behrami. Rooney had a terrific chance to double the lead but got Bentley’s cross tangled in his feet. The striker then attempted a delightful chip that inched over the bar before seeing his chest-and-volley deflected wide.

England were rallying, far more relaxed; only a fine save from Benaglio prevented Jenas from bagging a brace. As England made two changes, Wembley was stunned by a snap equaliser from Swiss substitute Derdiyok. Yakin played him through nicely, and with Ferdinand miles off the pace, Derdiyok – making his debut – lashed a shot across goal into the bottom-right corner.

No sooner were England pegged back than they regained the lead. Gerrard raced down the left and squared for another substitute, Shaun Wright-Phillips, to slip the ball into the net. It was a fine cross-box pass from Gerrard in a move made by another sub, Crouch, and his towering knock-on.

Rooney’s strength and thunderbolt shot almost made it 3-1 and Crouch also worked the keeper with a volley. Rooney and Wright-Phillips were now providing attacking width to accompany centre-forward Crouch, with Gerrard responding positively to the additional space this created in central midfield.

Capello’s calls his for men to “press” were heeded to useful effect. England’s football now resembled a Premier League affair as opposed to the cagey, cautious and awkward stuff served up before the break. Rooney, Gerrard and Crouch then linked superbly, but the Liverpool striker’s final ball back to his captain resulted in a scuffed shot.

A late mistake from James and a goalmouth scramble had England hearts in mouths seconds before the whistle, but the Three Lions held on to take victory in Capello’s first game in charge. Plenty of chances and more assured football seemed to satisfy the Wembley fans, who were altogether more positive about their side’s performance.

Line-ups:

England (4-1-4-1): James – Brown, Ferdinand, Upson, A Cole (Bridge 73) – Barry (Hargreaves 73) – Bentley, Gerrard, Jenas (Wright-Phillips 57), J Cole (Crouch 57) – Rooney (Young 87)

Subs not used – Carson, Kirkland, Richards, Lescott, Woodgate, Owen, Defoe

Switzerland (4-4-2): Benaglio – Lichtsteiner (Behrami 46), Senderos (Grichting 55), Eggimann, Spycher – Gygax (Derdiyok 46), Gelson (Huggel 84), Inler, Barnetta – Yakin (Margairaz 64), Nkufo (Vonlanthen 46)

Subs not used – Zuberbühler, Coltorti, Ziegler

Goals:

1-0 Jenas, 40 (J Cole)
1-1 Derdiyok, 58 (Yakin)
2-1 Wright-Phillips, 62 (Gerrard)