Hodgson cautious despite San Marino demolition

England manager Roy Hodgson warned his players not to get carried away after they outclassed hapless minnow San Marino 8-0 in World Cup qualifying.

Hodgson's side showed no mercy on a brisk night at Serravalle's 7,000-capacity Stadio Olimpico, with Alessandro Della Valle's 12th-minute own goal unleashing an avalanche of goals for the visiting side.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ashley Young, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge all got on the score card, while Jermain Defoe claimed a brace as England recorded its biggest win in 25 years.

The scoreline amply reflected England's superiority over a team ranked 207th and joint-last in the FIFA ranking, but Hodgson said it would count for nothing when his side travels to Group H leader Montenegro on Tuesday.

"You've got to be very careful trying to predict the future on the back of a game like this," he said.

"When you go into these games, you know if the team plays anything like they can play, you'll cause problems and score some goals.

"That's what we did but none of us are jumping around high-fiving in the dressing room."

Tuesday's game in Podgorica could define England's qualifying campaign.

Montenegro's narrow 1-0 win in Moldova on Friday meant it preserved its two-point lead at the top of the group, so although victory for England would send it top, defeat would cast it five points adrift.

However, despite the sizeable incentive of being able to take control of the group, Hodgson said failure to win would not represent a disappointment.

"It'd be a great lift, but if we don't get it, I won't be getting a spade out and digging a grave for this team," he said.

"There's five games left and 15 points to play for and I believe this team can go out and get the points we need.

"Most people will look at a lot of the football we played today (Friday) and revel in the fact there were such exceptional moves and some exceptional goals."

(China Daily 03/24/2013 page7)