England 2 Albania 0
Another goal from red-hot striker Michael Owen and a late strike by Robbie Fowler enabled England to scrape a 2-0 World Cup victory over a hard-working Albania tonight to send Sven Goran Eriksson's team to the top of group nine.
England predictably came down to earth after their amazing 5-1 victory in Germany on Saturday and led only after Owen's clever volley from a Paul Scholes through ball in the 44th minute.
It was the Liverpool striker's 11th goal in eight games this season following his hat-trick on Saturday.
England were unable to reproduce any of the attacking verve that ripped through Germany in Munich and some hesitant defending allowed Albania to grow in confidence and pose their own threat in the second half.
The nerves were showing until substitute Fowler's delicate 88th minute finish clinched the victory and the three points that takes them to 16 and above Germany on goal difference.
If England beat Greece at Old Trafford in their final game on October 6th - barring a massive win over Finland for Germany - they will win the group on goal difference and qualify for the finals, leaving Germany to enter the play-offs.