ENGLAND were last night back on track in their quest for glory in the European Championships.

The crucial 3-0 win against Switzerland came after two goals from teenage sensation Wayne Rooney and a Steven Gerrard strike helped to erase the memory of Sunday's painful defeat by France.

And in a double boost for the team, the victory was not marred by further violence from England fans.

Rooney, the 18-year-old Everton striker, became the tournament's youngest ever scorer when he headed in a Michael Owen cross midway through the first half for the opening goal.

Last night, England's odds to win Euro 2004 were cut from 8/1 to 6/1, making them third favourites.

Delighted Rooney, who received a standing ovation from the England fans when he was substituted late in the second half, last night spoke of his relief at the victory.

"We needed it," he said. "It was a big day for all of us and we pulled through in the end.

Asked how he had broken yet another record, he said: "I don't know - I go out and play the game.

"We played well as a team and lucky enough I scored two goals, which is good for me."

The result means England will qualify for the quarter-finals if they draw with Croatia in their final group B match on Monday night.

But the joyous scenes among England's fans last night were in stark contrast to the violence on the Algarve, which has marred the tournament this week.

Serious disturbances in the tourist resort of Albufeira saw 33 fans agree to be deported yesterday, a day after 11 fans were ordered to be deported following riots.

The 33 were bundled into court yesterday, some in ripped and bloodied shirts, to face accusations of rioting in the early hours of Wednesday.

Prosecutors agreed to offer no evidence against the fans during the 30-minute hearing.

In return, the men all agreed to leave the country voluntarily and be banned from returning for one year.

They will have a trial in Portugal towards the end of this year, but do not have to attend.

Among them was father-of-two Christopher Bone, 28, from Gateshead.

Mr Bone's distraught mother, Maureen, said the first she knew of her son's arrest was when she spotted a picture in her local paper showing him being apprehended on the street by two officers.

Mrs Bone said: "Chris has never been in trouble before and he's certainly not a violent lad."

"He is a devoted Newcastle United fan but he has never ever been in the slightest bit of bother."

The 11 England fans who appeared in court on Wednesday - including Peter Barmick, 37, from Thornaby, Teesside, and John Jackson, 22, of Throckley, Newcastle - began to arrive back in England last night.

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