England routs Moldova 4-0 to move top of Brazil WC qualifying group

England have moved top of European qualifying Group H for the 2014 Brazil World Cup by crushing Moldova 4-0 at Wembley.

According to Fox News, after Steven Gerrard opened the scoring with his 20th international goal, a Rickie Lambert header and a Danny Welbeck brace completed a win that saw England overtake former leaders Montenegro on goal difference.

Welbeck's superbly taken double took his tally to six goals in seven international games, but he also picked up a booking that rules him out of Tuesday's key game away to third-place Ukraine, who trail England by a point, the report said.

With Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge and Andy Carroll injured, and Jermain Defoe short of fitness, it leaves manager Roy Hodgson with problems ahead of the most taxing of England's three remaining games, the report added.

England started a game with Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Jack Wilshere together in midfield for the first time, while the injury blight meant Southampton striker Lambert was given his full debut as a lone striker, the report further said.