AFP – England's midfielder Frank Lampard celebrates scoring a penalty during their Euro 2012, group G qualifying … LONDON (AFP) – Fabio Capello lavished praise on Jack Wilshere after the teenage midfielder anchored England to a comfortable win over Wales with a performance that belied his tender years.
The Arsenal youngster had played only 52 minutes of international football prior to Saturday's 2-0 win over Wales, a result which put England back on track to qualify for next summer's Euro 2012 finals in Poland and Ukraine.
While goals from Frank Lampard and Darren Bent secured a straightforward three points, it was the assured performance of the 19-year-old Wilshere that left Capello reaching for the superlatives.
"It's incredible, the performance of this player during this season," Capello enthused. "He improved in a short space of time, incredible."
Wilshere has nailed down a regular starting place at Arsenal this season, and impressed during the Gunners Champions League exit to Barcelona.
The youngster now appears to be well on his way to becoming a first choice in England's midfield, where he worked in tandem with Lampard on Saturday in front of Scott Parker in the holding role.
Capello said he had discussed Wilshere's improvement with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, and both coaches were surprised at his rapid development.
"I spoke with Arsene and Arsene told me the same thing -- incredible. He plays like a player of 28, 29 years with 35 or 40 caps," Capello said.
"The good players always improve."
Wilshere meanwhile modestly played down the praise directed his way.
"This is the sort of thing you want to hear. But at my age, I'm only 19, there are still big players like Steven Gerrard to come back," Wilshere said.
"I just have to work hard for my club and see if the manager picks me for internationals."
Capello meanwhile brushed off suggestions that the victory had vindicated his controversial decision to reinstate John Terry as permanent captain at the expense of the injured Rio Ferdinand.
"Why? Against you? It's my job guys. It's normal. It's my job," Capello said. "When you win you are the best, when you lose you are ..."
He also declined the invitation to single out Terry for special praise, instead highlighting the contribution of Aston Villa winger Ashley Young, whose movement and pace was a constant thorn in the side of the Welsh defence.
"All the players played well. But I think some players played very well. Ashley Young played very well. This year he has been a really good player. He played well in Denmark, he played well this evening," Capello said.
Capello was also pleased with the display of Parker, the in-form West Ham midfielder who many felt was unlucky to have been overlooked by the Italian for his World Cup squad last year.
"Scott played very well," Capello said. "The position, he won back a lot of balls, in every moment he was in a good position in front of the back four."
Capello meanwhile played down the significance of the tactical tweak that saw Parker shield the back four with Wilshere and Lampard pushed up behind a front three of Young, Bent and Wayne Rooney.
"I prepared this style for Wales but we can change the style because English players are really good, they can play different styles," Capello said.
"But the real style is 9-1. Because you need to defend and you need to go forward."
The only blemish on an otherwise positive afternoon for Capello was a needless 37th-minute booking for Rooney which rules the striker out of their next qualifier, against Switzerland at Wembley in June.
"I know, I told him he will miss the next game, it's not good news for us," Capello said.
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