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| King John: Terry grabs the points for England [AFP] |
In 2007 English football was treated to a new, $1.5billion, Wembley home.
The impressive glass and steel structure had, however, failed to replicate the atmosphere of its predecessor as England's footballing pride disappeared along with the fabled twin towers at the top of Wembley Way.
But here on Wednesday the missing element emanated from the stands – the sound of belief.
Fabio Capello has picked up and shaken England from the humiliation of failing to qualify for Euro 2008.
Packed stands
The team, enjoying a four-match winning streak in their World Cup qualifying group, were welcomed onto the pitch by the glaring flash of cameras from the 87,000 fans packed into the towering stands.
England's humbled players are now elevated back to star status in the eyes of their fans.
The English game's current shining example, Steven Gerrard, provided the team's first opportunity in the sixth minute, the Liverpool midfielder breaking away against the run of play to set up Wayne Rooney who, with his back to goal, sent a speculative scissor kick narrowly wide.
England pushed forward with confidence despite the fact that Capello's four first-choice strikers were absent with injury.
Peter Crouch was Capello's only remaining option after the Italian refused to call up seasoned international Michael Owen.
Crouch and pounce
The Portsmouth player repaid Capello for his forward thinking by pouncing on a John Terry header off a Frank Lampard corner to volley the ball into the back of the net on the 29th minute.
Spirits in the stands were boosted – but England rapidly lost momentum, with keeper David James forced to parry Anatoliy Tymoschuk's long-range strike with his arms before grappling the ball to safety.
Rooney injected some spark at the start of the second half, winding his way through Ukraine's defence before shooting wide.
In the 55th minute, former Chelsea forward Andriy Shevchenko was brought into the game for Ukraine, shortly followed by his current AC Milan teammate David Beckham for England.
It was Shevchenko whose impact was felt first.
A Ukraine free kick deflected off England defender Glen Johnson and into the path of Schevchenko who fired in from 10 yards.
This, the 32-year-old's 40th international goal, drew Ukraine level with 74 minutes on the clock.
In a telling sign of their resurgence from the confidence-sapping days of ex-coach Steve McClaren, England retaliated.
Forward surge
It wasn't quite kick-and-hope football but the tactical passing game of the first half was discarded as players surged forward.
And the pressure told on Ukraine.
England were awarded a free kick on the 85th minute. Beckham swung the ball from the right, Gerrard knocked the ball back across the face of goal and Terry reached out his leg and found the winner.
The final whistle was barely audible over the jubilant fans.
And the typically composed Capello even managed a double fist-pump.
England may not have won pretty but a run of five 2010 World Cup qualifying wins out of five is the perfect score.
Capello's side now sit on top of their World Cup table with a five point lead.
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