FIFTY games is a long time in international football. To be precise, it is a month over four years in Sven-Goran Eriksson's book but he may finally have stumbled across the solution to the problem that has dogged his reign as England coach - the left-side.

Since starting with Nicky Barmby against Spain in the Swede's first game in charge, Steve McManaman, Emile Heskey, Trevor Sinclair and Alan Thompson are among a long list of those to have been handed the chance to make that position their own.

But never has someone performed with flamboyance mixed with a willingness to defend down that flank as Chelsea's Joe Cole showed against the much inferior Northern Ireland on Saturday.

He has always been a showman and now, after being taught a thing or two from the arrogant yet meticulous Jose Mourinho, he has added a simplicity to his play that has attracted Eriksson to his undoubted talents once more.

It was only Cole's third start - from 21 caps - during the Scandinavian's tenure and his first outing in a competitive game, albeit in a World Cup qualifier that England could have won with Eamon Holmes playing on the left side.

But everything in Cole's play was positive and he has every chance of finally living up to the 'brightest hope of his generation' tag he was credited with during his teenage years at West Ham -- before Wayne Rooney had stepped out of school.

The 24-year-old's impudent curler just seconds into the second half highlighted the precocious talent of a player who all too often tried to perform tricks where it wasn't required.

And Cole admits to changing his style of play in accordance with the way both Mourinho and Eriksson like, although he knows tougher challenges lie ahead.

"I have had to be patient but I didn't try too hard to impress anyone, I've always been confident in my own ability and I just wanted to keep things simple by keeping within the shape of the team," said Cole, expected to retain his place at St James' Park on Wednesday against Azerbaijan.

"It has given me confidence but I know all too well that football can turn around in an instant. I enjoyed the whole of Saturday but I need another performance again in a few days' time.

"The whole squad needs to keep performing and I know that I have to repeat good displays to keep my shirt. That's all I can focus on. I have always been confident it's just now I'm fitter than I have been for the last 18 months because I'm playing regularly for Chelsea."

If there is a loser from Cole looking a certainty to keep his place on the left of midfield then it is Middlesbrough's Stewart Downing.

While the whole country has been clamouring for the young Teesside winger to be handed the chance to shine on the left for his country, Eriksson and assistant Steve McClaren have been more reluctant. Highlighted at Old Trafford by him not even being named among the seven substitutes.

But, while Cole offers an array of mesmerising tricks and is predominantly right-footed, Downing is more at home on that side of the field and would be direct in his play; offering Eriksson a viable alternative for years to come.

Also worth remembering is that Cole's heroics in the Theatre of Dreams were against Northern Ireland, a side that boasted just three Premiership players from the first whistle and one of those was Birmingham keeper Maik Taylor.

Newcastle's Kieron Dyer looked to have a regular place in the England starting line-up sewn up after a similarly outstanding display in a 6-0 rout of Luxembourg in 1999 during Kevin Keegan's days in charge. That has clearly not been the case in the six years since.

That is why Eriksson is remaining cautious. "Joe Cole was absolutely perfect and, if he goes on like this, it would be very difficult to move him from that position," said the England coach.

"Joe did exactly what we'd hoped he do. I say congratulations to him. He is a different player now - in a positive way. He is still a big talent who can beat people but he can also play things simple and defend well. I'm very happy with him and he must be very happy with his own performance."

Prior to Cole's opening goal, Northern Ireland had battled and scrapped in the hope of recording a goalless draw that would have evoked memories of their achievements in 1985 when a draw at Wembley booked a place in the Mexico World Cup finals.

But, in fairness to England, the 6,000 visitors in green were lucky to be celebrating a clean sheet at half-time after an incessant wave of first half pressure refused to gain its reward with a goal.

Goalkeeper Taylor had denied Michael Owen, when the Real Madrid striker ought to have done better, while both Rooney and David Beckham strikes from distance were turned away. Rooney also had a header rebound off the foot of the post.

But, after the Ulstermen's brief grip of possession was cheered by the travelling contingent, the indominatable spirits of the Irish, managed by the King of giant-killing folklore Lawrie Sanchez, suddenly wavered after the break.

Full-back Tony Capaldi, only playing because of an injury to Sunderland's George McCartney, gifted the ball to Cole who slotted England's first into Taylor's bottom left corner from 20-yards.

Frank Lampard and Rooney combined six minutes later and Owen pounced to net his 29th goal in a Three Lions shirt, needing just one at St James' Park on Wednesday to equal Alan Shearer's international total.

Rooney was sensational in the third less than two minutes later when he evaded the challenge from both Colin Murdock, of Crewe, and Plymouth's Capaldi and his cross from the bye-line was turned past his own keeper by Chris Baird.

By this time Northern Ireland, who failed to muster their first goal against England in 25 years and never looked like recording their first win since 1972, were deflated and defeated. And Lampard's shot from distance, which deflected off the head of Murdock and beyond a wrong-footed Taylor, compounded the away side's misery.

That strike equalled Eriksson's most emphatic victory in a competitive fixture since taking over - although the 5-1 mauling in Munich counted for more - and it could have been an even larger margin had Lampard not hit the bar from close range.

A place in the Germany finals next year is almost assured but can the most talented crop of English footballers since 1966 deliver on the big stage - that is an altogether different matter entirely.