Beckham return a success

Not only did the former England captain lay on the opening goal for John Terry - the man who took the skipper's armband from him - but he also proved his levels of fitness and quality have not diminished since he last pulled on the shirt.

Those who have been watching Beckham's progress in La Liga this season will tell you he has been an integral part of Real Madrid's charge for the title this season and that they cannot understand why he had been ignored for so long.

Whatever reason Steve McClaren gives for making the decision to freeze out Beckham after last summer's failed World Cup campaign, the coach should now be applauded for having the balls to swallow his pride and make such a drastic u-turn.

Beckham put in an all-action performance at Wembley, often coming inside to demand more of the ball, and he was at the heart of most of England's attacking play during the opening exchanges.

He even went close to making the headline writers' lives very easy on the half hour mark, but his curling free kick whistled just wide of the mark.

McClaren's decision to recall him was seemingly vindicated on 68 minutes, when a trademark swing of Beckham's right boot arrowed the ball towards Terry's head at the far post.

It was a momentous occasion for the current England captain as he netted the first full international goal at the new Wembley, but that feat seemed to be overshadowed by the fact that Beckham had provided it.

As the game drew nearer its conclusion, Beckham's influence waned, but he had already done enough to warrant a fantastic ovation when he was brought off with just over ten minutes remaining.

And more importantly, he seems to have done enough to justify his inclusion for next week's vital Euro 2008 qualifier against Estonia.

Whether he can last much longer at this level is still open to debate, but one thing is clear after his showing at Wembley on Friday - David Beckham can still do a job for England.

And with England's Euro 2008 qualifying campaign hanging in the balance, perhaps Beckham is the man who can turn the tide. As for a long term solution, well, we'll worry about that later.