Eriksson praised James England match photos

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson paid tribute to goalkeeper David James after the 3-1 win against Croatia at Portman Road.

Eriksson kept faith with James as his first choice, despite West Ham United's relegation from the Premiership last season.

And James was in sparkling form with a string of superb saves in a 45-minute display as England's defensive deficiencies surfaced again, despite the victory.

Eriksson said: "David James did very well for us - he was excellent.

Match report: England 3-1 Croatia

"They had some great chances in the first half and David saved us with two or three very, very good saves."

Eriksson played down England's shoddy defensive show, saying: "We played well in the first 25 minutes but Croatia took over the game and it was very easy for them to play.

"At half time we talked about keeping the ball a little bit better. In the first half we played too many long balls and they started to attack.

David James saved us with two or three very, very good saves England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson

"We know they are a tall team and we could have marked better.

"But apart from the last 15 or 20 mins of the first half I think we did okay.

"Croatia have a very good team and this is a very good result."

Eriksson added: "We defended very well but there was too much distance between defence and midfield, and midfield and attack - and it's difficult to defend when it's like that."

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James said: "Croatia are a decent side and they had opportunities to punish us.

"They kept us on our toes and stuff from this game will be used in the build up to the qualifiers.

"You'd like to not have anything to do and win five or six-nil but international football's not like that.

"It was a good run-out for us ahead of the qualifiers.

"I think they're quite into their season and it's effectively pre-season for a lot of our players, most of them have only had one competitive match."

England captain David Beckham, who scored the opening goal from the penalty spot and set up the second for Michael Owen, was also full of praise for James.

He said: "I think we played some good football at the start but opened up a bit too much at the end of the half.

"David James kept us in it with some great saves - he had a great game.

"It's good to put in a good performance. We're working hard ahead of the qualifiers and Croatia came here and gave us a hard game."