With the £3 million sterling per year that Sven Goran Eriksson is collecting from the Football Association as the new England manager, it is to be hoped that this morning he goes out and spends some of it on a hose. Eriksson will need it to contain the epidemic of premature England optimism that is sure to break out after Eriksson's new charges not only defeated Spain by three goals last night but looked a reasonable international side in the process.
The fact that Spanish disinterest was apparent for all but the opening 15 minutes, and that the match was scarred by a multitude of substitutes, will be overlooked. Concentration will instead focus on three goals, three new caps and reasons to be cheerful for the World Cup qualifier with Finland in Liverpool in three-and-a-half weeks.
A measure of renewed confidence is understandable, however. England were tighter than in previous times and generally passed the ball simply and effectively. And the goals, from Nick Barmby in the 38th minute, Emile Heskey in the 55th and Ugo Ehiogu in the 79th, gave Eriksson a glorious sheen to his new career.
To add to the feelgood occasion, Nigel Martyn, one of six half-time substitutions, saved a penalty from Javier Moreno 12 minutes from the end. It could not have been better for the Swede, who had tried to sing the national anthem such is his determination to be accepted in his adopted land - though he could have sung Zippity Do-Dah last night and still been crowned an English hero. The only concern is that just one England manager has not won his first match in control. He was Alf Ramsey.
But while it would be rash to show the cockiness of last night's streaker, it would be wrong to err on the negative. This was a positive evening for England, a night when Charlton's Chris Powell, Everton's Michael Ball and Sunderland's Gavin McCann were introduced to a higher standard and did not look out of place.
Powell, in particular, up against Gaizka Mendieta, justified Eriksson's leap of faith in him. Powell was replaced at half-time by Ball, but that was no reflection of his confident performance. Similarly, Ball and McCann were comfortable.
In fact, the only England players who must have left Villa Park disappointed were the two Davids, Beckham and Seaman. Beckham had another very quiet 45 minutes before giving way to Heskey, while Seaman must be wondering about his international future. Seaman will be 39 during the next World Cup finals and that must have been an influence in Eriksson naming David James as his first goalkeeper. Seaman was the only fit player not named among the substitutes.
That was not really a surprise, but Powell's debut at left back was. Yet Powell settled immediately. With Barmby in front of him, Powell was involved in all of England's early moments of promise.
So too, in the middle of midfield, was Paul Scholes. When England were labouring to break down Spain in the first half-hour, only Scholes had the appreciation to find a different angle or pass.
Part of that was because Teddy Sheringham was left on the bench, Eriksson preferring to partner Andy Cole with Michael Owen. This was the same forward line Kevin Keegan had played against Germany at Wembley and once again their rapport was not telepathic. But Owen, in particular, persevered.
He was rewarded with the key pass for the first goal of the new era. A gentle lob over the Spanish defence, Barmby chased Owen's pass and bravely poked the ball past Iker Casillas as he rushed from his line. Barmby was also responsible for the first goal of the Glenn Hoddle England era in 1996, though he never played for Hoddle again. He will hope for more under Sven.
England took encouragement from the opener, and before halftime Cole had a long and winding run around the Spain back line and then tested Casillas; seconds before the interval whistle Owen then tried to curl a shot in after a neat pass from Barmby. The short burst of coherent play was enough for Eriksson to receive an ovation as he walked down the touchline for his half-time team-talk.
It must have mainly involved naming his substitutions, but there was no discernable hiccup to England's fluidity as Frank Lampard, on for Scholes, nearly added a second. Picking up a poor clearance Lampard skimmed the post with a 20-yard effort.
At the other end Martyn made England's first save of the night - the only one from open play - shortly after, from the head of Moreno, but a quick Spanish riposte was put on hold when Heskey drilled in the second. A corner from Lampard saw Ehiogu, on for Rio Ferdinand, cause problems in the Spanish area. Casillas came for the ball and missed it and it fell conveniently for Heskey to volley in from six yards. Spain gave up then.
But Ehiogu kept at it. Fifteen minutes later, from another England corner, this time from the left and again taken by Lampard, Ehiogu ran unmarked to the near post and placed an emphatic header beyond Casillas to make it 3-0. Ehiogu, a former Aston Villa player, had been booed by the home crowd but now he was greeted by cheers. For England it was cheers all round. But Eriksson will know that the real work starts now.
ENGLAND: James (Martyn 46), Phil Neville (Gary Neville 77), Powell (McCann 47), Butt (Lampard 46), Ferdinand (Ball 54), Campbell, Beckham (Heskey 46), Scholes (Ehiogu 52), Andy Cole, Owen, Barmby. Subs Not Used: Brown, Phillips, Sheringham, Fowler, Carragher, Wright, Ashley Cole, Joe Cole. Goals: Barmby 38, Heskey 54, Ehiogu 70.
SPAIN: Casillas (Canizares 75), Manuel Pablo, Romero, Guardiola (J Etxeberria 80), Abelardo (Javi Moreno 55), Mendieta, Raul (Baraja 81), Enrique (Sergi 65), Urzaiz Aranda (Paco 58), Helguera (Victor 78), Unai.
Referee: K Vassaras (Greece).
