ALL'S well that ends well and, after a week of soul-searching and strife, England signed off their World Cup qualification programme in style last night with an impressive 2-1 win over Poland.

Goals from Michael Owen and Frank Lampard ensured Sven Goran Eriksson's side would finish top of Group Six and, perhaps more importantly, provided an important morale boost as thoughts turn to next summer's tournament in Germany.

Eriksson was derided last week when he claimed that England were one of "four of five" teams with realistic ambitions of winning the World Cup in nine months time.

A largely disinterested Poland are hardly the best gauges of ability but, if his side maintain the standards they set last night, he might not be far wrong. His positive prognosis certainly seems more appropriate now than at any time during the last 12 months.

Holland's weekend win in the Czech Republic had rendered last night's game an irrelevance in terms of World Cup qualification and ensured there would be no more heartbreak at the hands of Poland.

But, by thoroughly outplaying their opponents, England provided a tantalising glimpse of what might be possible in Germany.

Ultimately, though, how well England perform there could well boil down to one figure. Eriksson's side imploded after Wayne Rooney hobbled out of last year's European Championships quarter-final with Portugal and, after his volatile temperament had kept him out of Saturday's win, the Manchester United striker returned to prove his worth.

It did not take him long to show what England lack in his absence. His early free-kick was bent just wide of the right-hand upright, while his seventh-minute surge took him past two Polish defenders and into the very heart of the opposition's box.

His attempted lay off to Owen hardly befitted what had preceded it but, within the blink of an eye, England's one genuine match-winner had dispelled the air of despondency that had engulfed Old Trafford on Saturday.

He continued in the same vein for the remainder of the 90 minutes, combining boundless running with welcome restraint in an impressive exhibition of controlled aggression.

Keeping Rooney fit and free of suspensions will be a priority for Eriksson between now and the start of June, with the Swede also needing to solve his side's perennial midfield problem before battle commences in Germany.

Ledley King was the latest player to audition for a role last night, slotting in front of the back four in the absence of the injured Steven Gerrard.

And, while the Tottenham centre-half might not be a natural midfielder, his positional awareness provided the kind of defensive platform England have been crying out for in recent games. Finding a player who can both tackle and pass must now be a priority for the England boss.

King had no direct involvement in his side's opening chance of a frantic first half, but his presence alone was enough to help the home side come close to breaking the deadlock.

Freed from his defensive shackles, Lampard was able to break into the box with abandon in an attempt to meet Joe Cole's chipped cross.

His header might have been palmed away by Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc but the purpose behind his run was nevertheless pleasing. Had Gerrard been playing alongside him, it is unlikely he would have been quite so carefree with his attacking burst.

King's presence even gave the returning Rio Ferdinand the confidence to join the attack shortly after the half-hour mark. The Manchester United defender's run might not have been the most aesthetic, but his attempted centre still fell at Cole's feet following a double deflection, only for the Chelsea midfielder to curl wastefully over the top from the edge of the area.

Ferdinand could afford to be positive as a strangely subdued Poland were unable to match the passion shown by their 7,000 fans and there was little surprise when England finally claimed a deserved lead two minutes before the break.

There was also little surprise about the identity of the scorer. Owen had been all but invisible during the opening 43 minutes but, once again, he was in the right place at the right time to instinctively backheel Cole's volley into the net from the edge of the six-yard box.

That should have been it for the first half, but England have hardly been defensively infallible during this qualification campaign and, sure enough, the Poles levelled with their first attack of the game on the stroke of half-time.

John Terry found himself dragged inside and, when he failed to tackle Kami Kosowski on the right of the area, substitute Tomasz Frankowski ghosted behind the exposed Luke Young to hammer a first-time volley into the corner of the net.

Owen came close to doubling his tally midway through the second half as Cole crossed from the left but Boruc went to ground well to keep out his stooping header.

Perhaps the aerial route was England's best chance of success? Not if the reception afforded to Peter Crouch was anything to go by.

The Liverpool striker was roundly booed as he replaced Shaun Wright-Phillips in the 67th minute, underlining the scapegoat status that has unfortunately resulted from his gangly frame.

Instead, Owen and Lampard provided the icing on the cake. The former produced a deft chipped cross after Cole had picked him out on the left of the box and the latter cracked home a stinging first-time volley after another perfectly-timed surge into the box.

Result: England 2, Poland 1.