Despite the fallout between England fans and players following the 3-2 defeat there were no reports of any trouble outside the ground. Only five fans were arrested, all of them for minor offences, and not a single fan was arrested after the match.

England's disappointment on the field has been offset by temporary joy off it following one of the most peaceful matches involving its fans for over a decade, winning them rare praise from the police and city officials for good behaviour.

Johann Beelan, Eindhoven police spokesman, yesterday revealed the tactics that helped ensure peace in the city. He said police officers had toured the city with a list of names and photographs of known hooligans whom British authorities could not prevent from travelling to the Netherlands. The officers simply had a quiet word with them.

Around 100 known hooligans arrived in Eindhoven for the match.

"We told them that we were watching them and that we know who they are," a triumphant Mr Beelan said.

"We warned them they would be arrested and that they were being singled out for special attention. They were monitored throughout the day and even the hooligans told us that they would not create any trouble. They are probably saving themselves for this Saturday's match against Germany."

Police also claimed that the availability of cannabis in the Netherlands probably helped to defuse any violence. Scores of ticketless England fans gathered in coffee shops in Eindhoven, where cannabis is sold and smoked, to watch the game, greeting the defeat with mild disappointment and unusually, gentle applause. "It (cannabis) may have helped relax them," Mr Beelan added. "Even the hooligans enjoyed the party - and they told our officers. There were lots of things for fans to do and everybody had a good time."

The quiet word from the law was coupled with happy pop music, which blared out across the city in the run-up to last night's game in a deliberate ploy to pacify fans. The music drowned out many of the aggressive chants by England fans which often precede violence. Marieke Van Hoof of Eindhoven city council said: "We have found that playing loud happy pop music helps to calm people down and prevents them from gathering under constant chanting."

The decision to sell weak beer in the city centre also contributed to the peace, officials said. About 15,000 England fans were in Eindhoven, but nearly all left after the match or stayed in their hotels.

Police said almost three years of planning went into the security operation, which cost just over £650,000. More than 2,000 officers were on duty.

Belgian police officials were also in Eindhoven to witness the successful police operation and will be working closely with their Dutch counterparts for England's next match against Germany in Charleroi.