Relief was plain to see across Sutton yesterday as England sneaked into the last 16 of the World Cup.

Despite the 3pm kick-off pubs and bars in Sutton High Street were packed full of fans anticipating an England after two terrible performances.

And Fabio Capello’s men duly delivered with a 1-0 victory over Slovenia after Jermain Defoe’s 22 minute strike.

The result prompted celebrations across the borough, where many businesses and schools had made special arrangements for people to watch the match.

Darren Funnell, from Beddington, watching the match in The Cock and Bull, said: “We were so bad in the first 20 minutes I almost went back to work.

“It was pretty nervy at the end but we held on and now bring on the Germans.”

Jo Higgs, another punter in The Cock and Bull, said: “I was ready to give up being English but they’ve done us proud and now we can relax and enjoy the rest of the World Cup.”