Match Summary

England Team

Ukraine Team

    Match Report (Mike Payne's exclusive report coming shortly)

Shaun Wright-Phillips scored a brilliant debut goal as England cruised to victory against Ukraine.  Manchester City's youngster, on as a substitute, crowned a solo run with a stunning finish after 71 minutes.  It sealed England's win, set up by goals from the new Real Madrid pairing of David Beckham and Michael Owen.  Beckham diverted in John Terry's cross after 28 minutes and Owen headed home a centre from the England captain five minutes after the interval.

England coach Sven-Göran Eriksson was delighted with the outcome after recent speculation surrounding his future.  But it was Wright-Phillips who will grab the headlines, stealing the show in a low-key friendly at St James' Park.  England made a sluggish start and survived a scare after only three minutes, when goalkeeper David James fumbled a drive from Oleg Husev and was fortunate not to be punished.

And the visitors squandered another early opportunity when Andriy Shevchenko set up Ruslan Rotan, but he side-footed wastefully over the top.  Beckham was anxious to make headlines for the right reasons after his miserable summer at Euro 2004 in Portugal. And he almost created the opener for Alan Smith with a cross that brought an over-head kick from the Manchester United which flew wide.  Beckham turned from creator to goalscorer after 28 minutes to put England ahead.  The goal owed much to a large slice of fortune, with Terry's misplaced cross landed at Beckham's feet at the far post for a simple finish.  England coach Eriksson made three substitutions at the interval, replacing Gary Neville, Steven Gerrard and Smith with Jermain Defoe, Glen Johnson and Kieron Dyer.

Dyer received a hostile reception from his own fans, who jeered him after a reported bust-up with Newcastle manager Sir Bobby Robson.  It was the new Real Madrid pairing that doubled England's lead after 50 minutes, with Beckham crossing perfectly for Owen to head home from eight yards.  Eriksson decided it was time to send on Wright-Phillips for his debut - and he responded in style with a brilliant goal with 19 minutes left.  He ran from inside his own half before pulling a right-foot shot across Alexander Shovkovsky.

Dyer booed at Newcastle

Kieron Dyer was booed every time he touched the ball after coming on as a second-half substitute in England's friendly against Ukraine. Dyer is said to have had a bust-up with Magpies boss Sir Bobby Robson over his desire to play in central midfield. And the noisy Newcastle public left Dyer in no doubt where their support lay, roundly jeering the midfielder throughout his appearance. Dyer replaced Steven Gerrard on the left of midfield but had little impact. 

The player's agent Jonathan Barnett earlier said the player is happy at St James' Park.  "There's no situation with Kieran, it's complete and utter rubbish," Barnett said.  "There was no big bust-up and he's not looking for a transfer. There's never been any talk of him leaving, not from the player or the club."  Barnett added: "He loves Newcastle and loves the Newcastle fans.  "He had a private conversation with Sir Bobby Robson and what was said should remain private between them."  On Monday, Newcastle rejected reports that Dyer had refused to play on the right of midfield in their Premiership opener against Middlesbrough on Saturday.

A Newcastle spokesman told BBC Sport: "There's no truth in it at all, it's like Sir Bobby said after the match - it's utter rubbish."  Dyer replaced James Milner after 68 minutes of the 2-2 Riverside draw.