Jermain Defoe's hat-trick and a goal from Manchester City star Adam Johnson ensured a winning start to England's Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.

Defoe put off a groin operation that threatened to rule him out of the game and gained perfect reward in a deserved win that eased some of the pressure that has been building around boss Fabio Capello.

United ace Wayne Rooney played an important role in the goals, which took Defoe's tally to 15 in 44 games. More importantly it moves England straight to the top of Group G.

Capello told ITV: "We were really focused on the game, I'm really happy.

"Rooney and Defoe are fantastic players, four assists from Rooney and three goals from Defoe. They were really good in every moment during the game.

"I'm really happy with the performance of the two forwards - but also the other players."

Another three points in Switzerland on Tuesday and the England boss can start to go about his work in some security again.

He will travel to Basle without Michael Dawson though after the Tottenham man suffered an awful-looking knee injury.

However, after his World Cup trauma, Capello has started to make good decisions again.

Aside from Defoe's obvious matchwinning contribution, Theo Walcott and City's Joe Hart were outstanding and fellow Blue James Milner looked far more comfortable on the left flank than he did in South Africa.

England could not have made a better start.

Rooney's pass released Ashley Cole whose initial shot was parried by Nikolay Mihaylov.

The Chelsea man was on to the rebound in a flash and when he turned it back for Defoe, the player who by rights should now be recovering from groin surgery provided an excellent first-time finish after just three minutes.

Hart save

The only time England found themselves in trouble was their own fault, when Glen Johnson's attempt to turn Ivelin Popov's cross away for a corner instead threatened a horrendous own goal until Hart plunged across to his right to make a vital save.

Rooney is still struggling to find his touch and at times looked well off the pace. But a sublime chip five minutes into the second half was a reminder of the talent he possesses and Mihaylov needed to make a fingertip save to deny the Manchester United man.

Three direct assists are not to be sniffed at either, even if his international goal drought now extends to 11 games.

Dawson's horrible injury followed. Slow motion replays showed the defender's left knee buckling under him.

As he was carried off in obvious pain, it was hard to avoid the conclusion that he will not be back on a football pitch again for some considerable time.

There followed a pivotal 15 seconds, which started with an excellent Hart reaction save to repel Martin Petrov.

England countered immediately and a flowing move involving Gareth Barry, Steven Gerrard and Rooney ended with Defoe firing through Mihaylov's legs.

Johnson's strike eased England further clear and paved the way for Defoe to complete his momentous three-timer four minutes from time.

The Tottenham striker suffered some kind of twinge as he celebrated and was immediately replaced by Ashley Young.

Capello was left to hope the recovery will be swift, and Defoe confirmed within minutes of the final whistle that he will be ready to face the Swiss.

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