Three first-half strikes have given England a deserved 3-0 lead over Moldova at Wembley.

England had a good chance to break the deadlock early on but Southampton forward Rickie Lambert failed to hit the target when a loose ball fell to him inside the area.

The hosts didn't have to wait too much longer for the opening goal, Steven Gerrard drilling home a shot from the edge of the box after receiving the ball from Frank Lampard.

England continued to dominate proceedings, with Jack Wilsere coming close to adding a second goal following a run through the middle of a vulnerable visiting defence.

Lampard was denied a goal of his own following his earlier assist when Stanislav Manasco punched his header away from danger.

Roy Hodgson's men found the second goal which their play deserved in the 26th minute when Namasco could only push Theo Walcott's shot into the air, allowing Lambert to head in his second goal in as many games on the international stage.

The Wembley crowd were treated to a third goal just before the break as Lambert chipped in a pinpoint pass for Danny Welbeck, who had the simple task of tapping into an empty net thanks to some poor goalkeeping from Manasco.