LONDON (Reuters) - England's 2-1 victory over Switzerland in Fabio Capello's first game in charge drew a guarded response from newspapers on Thursday.
Most observers were generally positive towards the Italian, although it will clearly take time to win over the media after the dismal failure to qualify for Euro 2008.
Many of the back pages focused on Capello's decision to leave Michael Owen on the bench throughout Wednesday's friendly.
"Owen stews in Capello's starter" read a headline on the back page of The Times above a story that said England had taken a first cautious step towards rehabilitation under Capello.
The Sun went further. "No Sway Back for Owen" it pronounced on its back page next to a photo of Capello swaying backwards with a stern expression on his face.
The tabloid said Owen had been "brutally ignored" as Capello gave England a taste of his "iron fist".
The Daily Mail said: "You're too trembley at Wembley" on its back page, focusing on Capello's view England's players are too nervous when playing on home soil.
"Miracles Take a Little Longer" was the inside page headline in the Daily Mail. The report described the performance, particularly in the first half, "as stuttering and lacking in urgency and fluency".
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