There seems to be a checklist that applies to 90 per cent of England games at the moment and last night all the criteria were once again met.

Largely solid? Yes. Slightly unambitious? Yes. Plenty to worry about at half time? Yes. Professional? Yes. End up with a win? Yes. The full house.

But it's hard to argue when it gets results and with England now only needing to hold out for a point in Turkey to qualify for Euro 2004 you have to say it's been a success.

Before the game talk was of 4-0, 5-0, 6-0 or add them all together-0. But this was Sven's England - that was never going to happen.

It might of have done had David Beckham and Steven Gerrard not been so cautious as they protected themselves from any possible challenge that could result in a yellow card and suspension for the game in Istanbul.

However, with that in mind, it was mainly left up to that 17-year-old star Wayne Rooney to provide the sparkle that lit up an otherwise workmanlike evening in Manchester.

In the first half Rooney's header was tipped over the bar after only nine minutes as England kept possession and had sus-tained pressure against a whole hearted and battling but understandably low quality Liechtenstein team.

On 18 minutes Beckham al-most got the first goal that might have opened the floodgates when he slid in at the far post to turn Rooney's cross onto the bar.

Ten minutes later James Beattie's challenge on the Liechtenstein keeper presented Michael Owen with an open goal which he uncharacteristically missed.

Beattie was the next to test out the woodwork when Beckham's deep ball from the right was brilliantly controlled and leathered from a tight angle from the Saints man against the underside of the bar and out.

Rooney threatened twice more in the first 45 with an overhead kick and a shot that needed saving while Beattie also drilled a low effort straight at the keeper only moments after hitting the bar.

But England couldn't have anybody resting easy at half-time and went in with the scores still deadlocked.

Luckily it only took a matter of seconds after the re-start for Sven's men to take the lead.

Gerrard drilled in a low cross from the left and Owen headed home from close range.

That goal took him to joint 11th alongside Sir Geoff Hurst in the list of all-time English goalscorers.

Six minutes later the lead was doubled when Beckham's far post cross was steered back by the head of Gerrard for Rooney to superbly finish into the bottom corner.

Beattie had one more effort turned round the post by the keeper but other than a couple of minor half chances for the visitors, as there had been in the first half, the game fizzled out.

England had done their job.

It may be unspectacular but, boy, is it effective right now.