But his response was just what the watching Sven-Goran Eriksson would have wanted as he set up the first two goals and was a constant thorn in the Slovak side with his skill and trickery before scoring the final goal himself.

But this was not a one-man show as England dominated in all departments from virtually start to finish against a side who had only lost 2-1 in Turkey in their first outing of the campaign.

Shola Ameobi and two-goal Francis Jeffers were a handful up front, Michael Carrick and David Prutton provided excellent support for Cole in midfield and skipper Gareth Barry was outstanding in defence.

Debutant keeper Matt Murray also looked full of confidence after being called in as a late replacement for neck injury victim Chris Kirkland.

Murray was called into action within 60 seconds of the kick-off and he clung onto a powerful rising left-footed effort from Augustin Paulik.

The 14,000-capacity stadium was less than half full after a day of non-stop rain but Cole did his best to illuminate the proceedings.

A penetrating pass from the West Ham player put Ameobi in a good position on the left of the penalty area and he cut inside before seeing his shot beaten out by Jan Mucha.

Charlton's Paul Konchesky became the first player to be booked after 17 minutes for a foul on Juras Ancic before the woodwork rescued Slovakia 60 seconds later.

A mistake by Branislav Obzera let in Francis Jeffers and he coolly rounded Mucha but his shot from a narrowish angle struck the right-hand post and rebounded to safety.

Cole threatened danger every time he received the ball and he created another opening for Jeffers whose rising shot was tipped over the bar by Mucha.

England were controlling the game although skipper Gareth Barry became their second player to be booked after 33 minutes for stopping Ancic in his tracks.

But within a minute England had broken the deadlock through Ameobi - and unsurprisngly the creator was Cole.

He cut in from the left flank before supplying a diagonal pass for Ameobi and he made no mistake with his low shot from 15 yards out which flew past the despairing dive of Mucha.

The home side were struggling to contain Cole and Vladimir Poncak was yellow-carded a minute before the interval for chopping him down in full flight.

England went close to doubling their lead from the resulting free-kick by Barry which picked out Ameobi and his downward header was turned around the post by Mucha.

Slovakia made a bright opening to the second period but it was England who still looked the more menacing with Cole still pulling the strings.

A reverse pass from Cole provided another opportunity for Jeffers but he was again unable to supply the finishing touch as Mucha blocked his effort.

Any threat from the home side was provided by Ancic and he was only just too high with a rising effort from 20 yards out.

But the game was turned decisively in England's favour in the space of 60 seconds with the unfortunate sending off of Poncak and a second goal - from Jeffers.

Poncak was dismissed for a second yellow card offence on Jeffers but it appeared that it was Peter Dolezas.

Then England went straight down the other end of the pitch and doubled their lead. Cole was again the creator with a superb first time ball into Jeffers who coolly slipped his shot past Mucha.

With 14 minutes left Jeffers grabbed his second goal after Jlloyd Samuel provided the telling pass.

Then Cole capped an outstanding show with a 20-yard rocket shot which flew past Mucha into the top corner of the net in the 87th minute.