England booked their place in the 2014 World Cup finals after winning their last two qualifiers against Montenegro and Poland at Wembley.

In the deciding match against Poland, Wayne Rooney scored his 38th England goal and ninth in the last 10 games to set the Whites on their way.

Captain Steven Gerrard added a second late on to seal England’s passage to Brazil.

Many critics had questioned Roy Hodgson’s appointment as England manager but no doubt he has silenced his doubters after becoming only the sixth English coach to lead his country to the World Cup finals.

Other football items of importance for October read:

• On matchday 2 of the Champions League group phase, Arsenal beat Napoli 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium. Manchester City crash 3-1 to holders Bayern Munich at the Etihad Stadium. Other results: Steaua Bucharest-Chelsea 0-4, Celtic-Barcelona 0-1, Shakhtar Donetsk-Manchester United 1-1.

• In the Europa League, Championship side Wigan claim a deserved 3-1 win over Slovenian champions Maribor to attain their first ever win in a continental competition. More outcomes: Swansea-St Gallen 1-0, Anzhi-Tottenham 0-2.

• After the sacking of Paolo di Canio, who became the first casualty in this season’s Premier League, Sunderland name Gus Poyet as their new manager.

• Arsenal duo Arsene Wenger and Aaron Ramsey win the monthly manager and player awards.

• In an U-21 European Championship qualifier, England trounce San Marino 4-0 (Kane 3, Keane).

• England claim a formidable victory in a World Cup qualifier at Wembley, defeating Montenegro 4-0 (Rooney, Boskovic og, Town-send, Sturridge pen). Other results: Azerbaijan-Northern Ireland 2-0, Germany-Ireland 3-0, Wales-Macedonia 1-0 (Church).

• In a crucial qualifier at Wembley, England sink Poland 2-0 (Rooney, Gerrard). Other outcomes: Israel-Northern Ireland 1-1 (Davis), Ireland-Kazakhstan 3-1 (Keane pen, O’Shea, Finonchenko og), Belgium-Wales 1-1 (Ramsey), Scotland-Croatia 2-0 (Snodgrass, Naismith).

• Liverpool’s Joe Wilson makes a late appearance towards the end of the 1-1 draw against Belgium, smashing Gareth Bale’s record as the youngest player to be capped by Wales by 108 days at the age of 16 years and 207 days.

• At Portman Road, in an Under-21 European qualification tie, England topple Lithuania 5-0 (Morrison 2, Ward-Prowse, Berahino 2).

• England rise from 17th to 10th in the latest FIFA rankings but will not be one of the eight seeded teams for the World Cup draw.

• England boss Roy Hodgson and ex-captain Rio Ferdinand are named on the FA’s commission to improve the national side.

• Middlesbrough sack manager Tony Mowbray.

• In the Champions League group phase day 3, Chelsea win 3-0 at Schalke 04. Other results: Arsenal-Borussia Dortmund 1-2, Celtic-Ajax 2-1, Man. United-Real Sociedad 1-0, CSKA Moscow-Man. City 1-2.

• Crystal Palace fire manager Ian Holloway.

• In the group phase of the Europa League, Tottenham win 2-0 at Sheriff Tiraspol in Moldova. Other outcomes: Swansea-Kuban 1-1, Wigan-Rubin Kazan 1-1.

• Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is fined £8,000 for his dismissal in the home game against Norwich.

• In the fourth round of the League Cup, Fulham bow out 3-4 at Leicester.

• UEFA order CSKA Moscow to close part of their stadium for one match after their fans racially abused Man. City midfielder Yaya Toure in the Champions League.

Leading marksmen

Premier League
8 − Sturridge (Liverpool), Aguero (Manchester City).
6 − Remy (Newcastle United), Suarez (Liverpool), Ramsey (Arsenal), Van Persie (Manchester United).

The Championship
10 − Rhodes (Blackburn Rovers).
9 − Vaughan (Huddersfield), Vokes (Burnley).
8 − Ings (Burnley).

Scottish Premier
8 − McKay (Inverness).
6 − Boyd (Kilmarnock), May (St Johnstone).

Average attendances