New wonderkid on the block

LODNON: British media saluted Theo Walcott after his hattrick in England’s 4-1 demolition of Croatia in a World Cup qualifier in Zagreb.

Walcott, who was thrust into the spotlight in 2006 when former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson surprisingly included him in the squad for the World Cup finals, finally delivered the goods on Wednesday with three clinical finishes.

The 19-year-old Arsenal striker has been a peripheral figure for his club since his shock inclusion in the World Cup squad but became the talk of a nation on Wednesday when he repaid manager Fabio Capello’s faith to the full. ‘Boy Wonder’ was the Daily Mail’s back page headline while The Sun proclaimed ‘Trio Walcott’.

The Independent said Walcott had come of age two years later than scheduled and the teenager also received congratulations from British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Many papers awarded him 10 out 10 in their player ratings while others compared his impact to that of a teenaged Michael Owen when he burst on the scene in the 1998 World Cup finals. Walcott’s performance also vindicated Capello’s decision to start the forward in place of David Beckham on the right of midfield.