England's Jermain Defoe (R) shoots past Bulgaria's Ivan Ivanov to score his third goal during their Euro 2012 qualifying soccer match at Wembley Stadium in London September 3, 2010.
LONDON - A hat-trick from Jermain Defoe and an outstanding goalkeeping performance by Joe Hart helped England to a comfortable 4-0 win over Bulgaria in their opening Euro 2012 Group G qualifier at Wembley Stadium on Friday.
England took three minutes to begin the rehabilitation from their poor 2010 World Cup when Defoe smashed in a volley from an Ashley Cole cross.
Defoe doubled the lead after 61 minutes with a left-foot shot and completed his hat-trick four minutes from time.
Adam Johnson, who replaced Theo Walcott in the second half, grabbed England's third after 83 minutes with a low left-foot drive.
Hart, newly installed as England's number one by coach Fabio Capello, justified that billing with three top saves.
The only blemish on an otherwise encouraging night for England came after 56 minutes when defender Michael Dawson, winning his second cap, suffered a knee injury and left the field on a stretcher.
England's Jermain Defoe (L) celebrates with Theo Walcott after scoring during their Euro 2012 qualifying soccer match against Bulgaria at Wembley Stadium in London September 3 2010.
[Agencies]
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