Gerrard last night captained his country to their biggest victory since a 5-1 thrashing of Croatia almost a year earlier as their European Championship qualifying campaign got off to a flying start.

The Croatia win was arguably the high point of Fabio Capello's tenure as manager, after which England's form began to dip alarmingly, culminating in a debacle of a World Cup.

Yesterday's margin of victory flattered Capello's men but there were definitely signs the players who had performed so miserably in South Africa had begun to find their feet again.

Gerrard said: "We've made a statement.

"I've said, after the disappointment of the World Cup, it's going to take time before this team can be really ready to challenge the big sides."

The man who epitomised England's performance last night was team talisman Wayne Rooney.

After some early reminders of his World Cup horror show against Algeria, the Manchester United star's confidence began to return, and after having a hand in four goals, he was looking like the Rooney of old.

So while acknowledging Jermain Defoe had "stolen the headlines" with his first England hat-trick, Gerrard was keen to steer some of the plaudits in the direction of his fellow Liverpudlian.

"It's important not just to give Jermain all the credit," he said, describing the Tottenham striker as "lethal".

"Wayne got all the assists, so I think the partnership worked - that was the key.

"From front to back, we were superb all over the pitch."

That may be a bit of an overstatement, with Bulgaria managing to open England up once to often last night.

But a combination of poor finishing from the visitors and excellent goalkeeping from Joe Hart on his competitive debut helped the home side preserve a clean sheet.

Gerrard said of Hart: "I think he's made the number one spot his own. His last two performances have been superb."

Gerrard believes last night's display saw England "playing the way we should be playing" and he is demanding a repeat in Tuesday night's second Group G game in Switzerland.

"The important thing now is not to get carried away and try to build on that," he said.

"Tuesday's going to be even more difficult. It's a tough game away from home. They're a good team, Switzerland.

"Hopefully, that will breed a bit of confidence."

Tuesday's match is arguably England's toughest of the entire qualifying campaign, with Switzerland the one team they will face who managed to reach this summer's World Cup.

Not only that, but they were the only side in the tournament to beat new world champions Spain, stunning them with a 1-0 victory in their opening game.

Gerrard is in no doubt of the threat England will face in Basle next week.

"Internationals away from home are always going to be difficult," he said.

"Switzerland showed in the World Cup what a good side they are by beating Spain.

"So we'll have to perform to the same level as we did if we want that result."

They will have to do so without defender Michael Dawson, whose encouraging full debut ended in nightmare fashion last night when his left leg collapsed horribly beneath him early in the second half.

The Football Association have released Dawson back to his club side Tottenham and have confirmed they will not call up another defender ahead of Tuesday's match.

It was a freak incident similar to that at the 2006 World Cup which saw Michael Owen ruled out for almost a year.

Gerrard is hoping Dawson's injury is not as serious as it appears.

He added: "We're concerned. He's got to have a scan in the next couple of days. Fingers crossed it's not too bad."