By Laurie Whitwell
PUBLISHED: 16:04 EST, 11 October 2013 | UPDATED: 16:04 EST, 11 October 2013
Andros Townsend was handed a shock start by Roy Hodgson in the boldest move by an England manager in qualifying since Steve McClaren selected Scott Carson as goalkeeper for the match against Croatia that led to this country's absence from Euro 2008.
The aim this time would be to create goals rather than stop them, though, and the 22-year-old wore the No 7 shirt accordingly.
It was the position David Beckham called his own on the way to winning 115 caps. It was also the role occupied by David Bentley before his star faded after just 7 caps. Only time will tell which player Townsend will greater emulate but he made a decent start on Friday night.
7 mins - Brings it forward again and offers to overlapping fullback Kyle Walker but his pass pushes his club team-mate a little wide meaning he is unable to complete a cross.
13 mins - Has hand up on touchline as Rooney patrols midfield and is found with a precise pass. Beats Milan Jovanovic but is tackled by Vladimir Volkov.
38 mins - Fine play. Rescues what looked a lost cause by running round the blindside of Jovanovic and keeping the ball in play. It leads to a shot from Gerrard that needs to be saved.
40 mins - Predicts Rooney's clever glancing pass to the wing and races into space before cutting inside - once more - and driving a left-foot shot that takes a nick and is palmed out by goalkeeper Vukasin Poleksic only to Rooney. But he slices wide.
41 mins - Rides lunge from Volkov.
43mins - Loses ball but tracks back to gain it once more.
46 mins - Quick give and go for an assured start to the second half.
47 mins - A pass to Sturridge is intercepted by Jovanovic.
48 mins - Big moment. Sets up England breakthrough by running 50 yards down the wing, turning Jovanovic inside out, and crossing for Danny Welbeck. His shot is saved but Rooney putsin the rebound.
54 mins - Loses possession and the ball is chipped over his head to forcing Walker to foul Jovetic and get a booking.
57 mins - Exchanges passes with Walker and runs across the 18-yard looking for a shot but checks back and passes to Gerrard when no opening comes.
58 mins - Beats Volkov for what feels like the umpteenth time and gives to an overlapping Rooney.
59 mins - Looks to be getting on the end of diagonal pass from Gerrard but Jovanovic nods behind. Then makes himself available to Baines for a short corner, cuts onto left, and drills low but soft shot that is saved.
64 mins - Gets rugby tackled by Jovanovic but the referee plays advantage instead of whistling.
71 mins - Clever run to take Rooney's pass down the right flank but his cross is too far in front Welbeck in the middle.
74 mins - Shows us a few stepovers before passing to Gerrard
78 mins - The wow moment that shows Hodgson's gamble has hit the jackpot. Townsend nicks the ball in midfield and accelerates past Simon Vukcevic to get space then cracks a dipping, swerving shot that clips the inside of the post on its way in. Poleksic had no chance.
- The debut boy is replaced by Jack Wilshere to a standing ovation from the Wembley crowd.
Full-time: Townsend is named Man of the Match by the Wembley Stadium announcer
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