On this day: Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe doubles sink Andorra

With the greatest of respect, when they both retire, neither Peter Crouch nor Jermain Defoe will be regarded as one of England's greatest centre-forwards.

Yet, in fairness to the pair, they can boast a more than respectable goal return for their country, with Crouch having found the net on 22 occasions from his 42 caps, while Defoe scored 19 times in his 55 outings.

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The duo tended to be included in squads alongside the likes of Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen, so chances were limited, but with those two not available for the first Euro 2008 qualifier against Andorra nine years ago today, head coach Steve McClaren handed out rare starting opportunities.

Defoe and Crouch had actually partnered up in a friendly against Greece the previous month, with the latter helping himself to a brace. He would repeat that feat at the expense of the minnows at Old Trafford, but this time around his fellow striker was not to be outdone.

It took Crouch just five minutes to get his name on the scoresheet, with Defoe heavily involved in the build-up. It was he who exchanged passes with left-back Ashley Cole to find the Liverpool frontman to steer a low left-footed shot into the bottom corner of Koldo's net.

The visiting goalkeeper was beaten again just eight minutes later when Cole's deep cross was chested down at the back post by Crouch's club teammate Steven Gerrard, who lashed in a powerful half-volley.

Then it was Defoe's turn to get in on the act as Gerrard turned provider in the 38th minute. Playing wide on the right, the midfielder sidestepped his marker to swing in a cross, which Defoe converted with a routine volley. It was the 22-year-old's second goal at senior international level and his first for two years.

With the drought now over, England's number 10 scored his second goal of the contest two minutes after the restart when he capitalised on some slack defending from Andorra to fire in from close range.

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The final say on proceedings would go to Crouch, though, as he floated a header inside the near post from substitute Aaron Lennon's dangerous cross with 66 minutes played.

Speaking after the final whistle, boss McClaren told BBC Sport: "It was just the general feeling of controlling the game through possession, creating enough chances, the substitutes making an impact and, of course, Defoe and Crouch - the main men getting the goals.

"We scored at the right times and could have had more. They were good goals - good goals against any opposition - and when you play Andorra, you've got to do what you have to do."

Defoe added: "I enjoyed it. It's been a long time coming to be honest. I think I did have something to prove. I'm back in the team, enjoying my training and was looking forward to the game."

England: Robinson; P Neville (Lennon), Brown, Terry, A Cole; Gerrard, Hargreaves, Lampard, Downing (Richardson); Crouch, Defoe (Johnson)

Andorra: Alvarez; Lima, Luena, Ayala, Sonejee; Javi Sanchez (Juli Sanchez), Sivera (Garcia), Vieira, Silva, Pujol (Jimenez); Ruiz