Substitute striker Darius Vassell and captain David Beckham gave England a priceless 2-0 victory over Turkey and top spot in Euro 2004 qualifying Group Seven on Wednesday.

Vassell broke the deadlock in the 75th minute and Beckham, who had been outstanding all evening, lashed home an injury-time penalty as England banished months of dismal performances and scathing criticism with a full-blooded display.

England's best performance since the World Cup lifted them to top spot on 10 points from four games, one ahead of Turkey, who had won all three of their previous three qualifiers.

After slow start, England warmed to the task against the World Cup semi-finalists as teenage striker Wayne Rooney belied his years to inspire his experienced international team mates.

But it was a commanding second half performance that decided the game and completely rejuvenated England's hopes of qualifying for next year's tournament in Portugal.

"I think we showed passion and the no-hopers did well in the end," said Beckham, with reference to the criticism given after England's lacklustre 2-0 win over Liechtenstein on Saturday.

"We deserved it, definitely the best team won," added Beckham, who was booked in the match and will miss the home game against Slovakia in June.

Under-fire manager Sven-Goran Eriksson's bold move of giving Rooney his first start was handsomely repaid as the Everton youngster delivered a man-of-the-match performance before going off to a standing ovation.

"He had a very every good game, he is a great talent," Eriksson said of the 17-year-old.

"We knew before but we know even more now. I can't see any reason why I should leave him out if he plays like that."

England nearly took an early lead when Turkey keeper Rustu Recber dropped Wayne Bridge's high ball into the box, Rooney's shot was blocked and Beckham fired the loose ball wide.

But the better football was coming from the Turks, whose ball skills and composure in possession bore the trademark of a team who had finished third at the World Cup.

Strikers Ilhan Mansiz and Nihat Kahveci, ably supported by playmaker Yildiray Basturk, were a constant menace to England's rearguard, where Sol Campbell showed all the authority that was lacking in partner Rio Ferdinand.

Though the main threat had come from their neat passing in the final third, Turkey's only chance of the half came from a superb run and shot from Basturk which had keeper David James at full stretch.

The pendulum swung England's way just before the break, though, when Owen twice found himself in a scoring position after some wonderful skills from Rooney, the Liverpool man failing to find the target with either.

England came out a much more purposeful side for the second half.

Beckham smacked an early free-kick into the side-netting, Rooney scuffed a weak shot and Scholes went close with a barrelling low drive.

Owen made way for Vassell just before the hour mark and the switch nearly paid immediate dividends when the Aston Villa striker twice forced Rustu into agile saves.

The keeper was unable to prevent him making it third time lucky minutes later as the striker followed up after Rustu had blocked a Ferdinand snap shot.

A Nihat header forced James into an excellent full stretch save at the other end but the match was put beyond the Turks' reach when Beckham fired home from the spot after substitute Kieron Dyer went down in the area under pressure from Ergun Penbe.

The Turks, with some justification, were furious about the decision and tempers flared on the final whistle with players and coaching staff jostling in the tunnel.

Eriksson, however, was only interested in talking about the action on the pitch.

"It was a perfect result, we deserved it, we played very well in the first half and even better in the second," he said.

"Today the boys were absolutely fantastic against a very difficult opponent.

"We made life difficult for them in midfield and defended well. We are top of the group and now it depends completely on us."

England have now won eight and drawn one of their nine games against Turkey, scoring 31 goals without conceding one.