Roy Hodgson's reign as England manager began in Oslo's Ullevaal Stadium with a first win against Norway in 32 years.

Ashley Young's early goal provided the decisive moment of a low-key friendly that turned into an audition for several of Hodgson's shadow squad as he formulates his final plans for Euro 2012 after replacing Fabio Capello.

England showed early signs of the tactical discipline that will be demanded by Hodgson. And while the performance hardly set pulses racing, it should be remembered that the side that starts the serious action against France in Donestsk on 11 June will not resemble the one on show in Oslo.

Analysis

Image of Graham Taylor Graham Taylor BBC Radio 5 live

"It was a warm-up, Roy's first game, and a 1-0 win. That's what it will say in the record books. Without trying to be cynical this is a reserve team. You know when it comes to the first game your team is going to be totally different. Roy took the opportunity of looking at as many players as possible as soon as possible."

Hodgson also has Wayne Rooney to call on once he has served a two-match suspension at the start of the tournament - and it is abundantly clear England will rely as heavily as ever on his ability to shape the outcome of important games.

If Hodgson was looking for early evidence of what he must improve before the tournament gets under way in Poland and Ukraine, it was carelessness in possession - especially in the second half - that will not go unpunished against opposition superior to Norway.

Hodgson was able to introduce Arsenal teenager Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for his debut late on as this makeshift England line-up closed out a victory that was solid for the most part without ever threatening to be spectacular.

There was also an injury scare for Hodgson as midfielder Gareth Barry, who was substituted after replacing captain Steven Gerrard at the start of the second half, was replaced by Liverpool's Jordan Henderson with 17 minutes left.

Hodgson encouraged by winning start

Hodgson admitted there would be an early element of experimentation about England's side, with his focus firmly on that opening Euro 2012 meeting with France, perhaps even above getting a victory in Norway.

He would still have been looking for encouraging signs, however, especially from striker Andy Carroll. The Liverpool forward's presence has taken on increasing importance with Rooney suspended and Danny Welbeck's ankle injury still a source of concern.

And Carroll provided a hint of what Hodgson was looking for in the opening minutes as he sent a header wide from Stewart Downing's cross before playing a role in Young's fine individual effort after nine minutes.

Did you know?

England last won in Norway in 1966 when Jimmy Greaves scored four and Bobby Moore one of his two international goals in a 6-1 victory

Carroll played in Young and the Manchester United attacker took advantage of desperately flat-footed defending from Fulham's Brede Hangeland and an intelligent decoy run from Gerrard to beat keeper Rune Almenning Jarstein.

England's formation was a rigid 4-4-2 against a Norway side of surprisingly limited ambition and on one of the rare occasions James Milner got in the action he forced a save from Jarstein.

Gerrard had been loudly cheered before kick-off as a result of Liverpool's large Norwegian following - but he was being jeered as the villain by the time he ended his 45-minute appearance after a heavy challenge that resulted in Tom Hogli being replaced by Espen Ruud.

Euro 2012 warm-ups

Shane Long ensured the Republic of Ireland will head off on their Euro 2012 adventure on the back of a win with the only goal against Bosnia-Hercegovina. Arsenal's Per Mertesacker had a painful return to action as Germany suffered a 5-3 defeat by Switzerland - their first loss to their neighbours in 56 years. Netherlands also suffered a shock defeat, 2-1 at home to Bulgaria. But Spain, without their Barcelona players, eased to a 2-0 victory over Serbia.

The second half was a scrappy affair, not helped by the disruption of substitutions. Oxlade-Chamberlain was given his England debut late on in place of Young, while Henderson came on for Barry.

England's failure to retain the ball inevitably encouraged Norwegian pressure and keeper Robert Green needed to be alert to block John Arne Riise's powerful drive at his near post.

As the game drew to a muted conclusion, there was even time for Liverpool defender Martin Kelly, who did not make England's standby list for Euro 2012, to get his first cap as an 87th-minute substitute.

It underlined the experimental nature of this fixture, a fact acknowledged by Hodgson as he began his tenure with victory.

Lineup, Bookings (0) & Substitutions (11)

Norway

  • 01 Jarstein
  • 02 Hogli (Ruud - 40' )
  • 05 Hangeland
  • 06 JA Riise
  • 04 Demidov
  • 07 Henriksen (Berisha - 84' )
  • 11 Pedersen (Grindheim - 62' )
  • 15 Tettey (Yttergard Jenssen - 90' )
  • 21 Braaten (Huseklepp - 74' )
  • 09 Abdellaoui
  • 10 Elyounossi

Substitutes

  • 12 Pettersen
  • 03 Madsen
  • 14 Ruud
  • 16 Grindheim
  • 19 Yttergard Jenssen
  • 22 Berisha
  • 18 Huseklepp

England

  • 01 Green
  • 02 Jones (Kelly - 88' )
  • 03 Baines
  • 06 Lescott
  • 04 Gerrard (Barry - 46' )
  • 05 Jagielka
  • 07 Milner
  • 08 Parker (Walcott - 56' )
  • 10 Young (Oxlade-Chamberlain - 72' )
  • 11 Downing (Johnson - 85' )
  • 09 Carroll

Substitutes

  • 13 Hart
  • 12 Kelly
  • 14 Henderson
  • 15 Barry (Henderson - 73' )
  • 16 Oxlade-Chamberlain
  • 17 Walcott
  • 19 Johnson
  • 18 Defoe
Ref: Weiner
Att: 21,496

Match Stats

Shots

14 8

On target

9 5

Corners

10 2

Fouls

4 6

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:12 Full time

Full Time The final whistle is blown by the referee.

90:00 +3:22

Adam Johnson has a drilled shot. Save by Rune Almenning Jarstein.

90:00 +1:33

The official flags Theo Walcott offside. Ruben Yttergard Jenssen restarts play with the free kick.

89:59 Substitution

Substitution Ruben Yttergard Jenssen replaces Alexander Tettey.

89:48

Shot from long range by Mohamed Abdellaoui goes wide of the left-hand post.

87:01

Free kick taken by Brede Hangeland.

87:01 Substitution

Substitution Phil Jones goes off and Martin Kelly comes on.

87:01

Theo Walcott is caught offside.

86:41

Brede Hangeland takes a shot. Save made by Robert Green.

86:04

Corner from the right by-line taken by John Arne Riise, save by Robert Green.

85:52

Tarik Elyounoussi takes a shot. Joleon Lescott gets a block in.

84:01 Substitution

Substitution Adam Johnson replaces Stewart Downing.

83:37 Substitution

Substitution Markus Henriksen goes off and Valon Berisha comes on.

82:37

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Markus Henriksen by Jordan Henderson. Vadim Demidov takes the free kick.

80:58

Theo Walcott takes a shot. Rune Almenning Jarstein makes a comfortable save.

79:58

The ball is sent over by Espen Ruud, clearance made by Leighton Baines.

77:22

Espen Ruud takes a shot. Comfortable save by Robert Green.

77:04

Inswinging corner taken by John Arne Riise from the right by-line.

73:54

Free kick awarded for a foul by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on Vadim Demidov. Rune Almenning Jarstein takes the free kick.

73:12 Substitution

Substitution Erik Huseklepp comes on in place of Daniel Braaten.

71:56 Substitution

Substitution Gareth Barry goes off and Jordan Henderson comes on.

71:56 Substitution

Substitution Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on for Ashley Young.

71:14

Corner from the right by-line taken by Stewart Downing, Rune Almenning Jarstein makes a save.

71:14

Corner taken by Stewart Downing, save by Rune Almenning Jarstein.

70:03

Corner taken by John Arne Riise played to the near post, Joleon Lescott manages to make a clearance.

68:03

Christian Grindheim takes a shot from just outside the penalty area clears the crossbar.

65:48

Corner taken left-footed by John Arne Riise, Robert Green makes a save.

61:58

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Espen Ruud.

61:49 Substitution

Substitution Christian Grindheim replaces Morten Gamst Pedersen.

61:21

Shot from 18 yards by John Arne Riise. Robert Green makes a save.

59:18

Centre by Morten Gamst Pedersen, Joleon Lescott makes a clearance.

57:52

Brede Hangeland crosses the ball, save made by Robert Green.

57:40

Daniel Braaten takes a shot. Blocked by James Milner.

55:04 Substitution

Substitution Scott Parker leaves the field to be replaced by Theo Walcott.

54:24

Inswinging corner taken by Morten Gamst Pedersen from the right by-line, clearance made by Andy Carroll.

54:19

Espen Ruud crosses the ball, Leighton Baines gets a block in.

53:14

The ball is swung over by Markus Henriksen, Phil Jones makes a clearance.

52:42

John Arne Riise sends in a cross.

51:30

John Arne Riise has a drilled shot. Robert Green makes a comfortable save.

50:31

Morten Gamst Pedersen has an effort at goal from outside the area which misses left.

49:40

Free kick awarded for a foul by Markus Henriksen on Leighton Baines. Direct free kick taken by Robert Green.

48:34

Shot from just outside the penalty area by Phil Jones hits the post.

48:34

Phil Jones takes a shot. Brede Hangeland gets a block in.

46:12

Foul by Vadim Demidov on Ashley Young, free kick awarded. Strike on goal comes in from Leighton Baines from the free kick, Rune Almenning Jarstein makes a save.

45:01

The referee gets the second half started.

45:01 Substitution

Substitution Gareth Barry joins the action as a substitute, replacing Steven Gerrard.

45:00 +1:05 Half time

Half Time The referee blows for half time.

45:00 +0:13

John Arne Riise fouled by Phil Jones, the ref awards a free kick. John Arne Riise delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from left wing, save made by Robert Green.

42:23

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Morten Gamst Pedersen from the right by-line to the near post, clearance made by Steven Gerrard.

39:07 Substitution

Substitution Tom Hogli leaves the field to be replaced by Espen Ruud.

36:18

Free kick awarded for a foul by Steven Gerrard on Tom Hogli. Vadim Demidov restarts play with the free kick.

35:30

Mohamed Abdellaoui produces a right-footed shot from just outside the box that goes wide left of the target.

34:33

Inswinging corner taken by Morten Gamst Pedersen from the right by-line, clearance by Andy Carroll.

34:23

The ball is sent over by John Arne Riise, clearance made by Joleon Lescott.

33:01

James Milner takes a shot. Save by Rune Almenning Jarstein.

32:23

Markus Henriksen takes a shot. Joleon Lescott gets a block in. Alexander Tettey takes a shot. Blocked by Joleon Lescott.

29:11

Steven Gerrard takes the inswinging corner, Brede Hangeland makes a clearance.

26:51

Andy Carroll delivers the ball.

25:51

A cross is delivered by Stewart Downing, save made by Rune Almenning Jarstein.

24:59

Free kick awarded for a foul by Morten Gamst Pedersen on Steven Gerrard. Free kick taken by Steven Gerrard.

23:44

Foul by Andy Carroll on Markus Henriksen, free kick awarded. Vadim Demidov takes the free kick.

20:13

The ball is swung over by John Arne Riise, clearance by Phil Jagielka.

17:05

Morten Gamst Pedersen delivers the ball, Header from deep inside the area by Daniel Braaten goes harmlessly over the crossbar.

15:03

Tarik Elyounoussi takes the inswinging corner, clearance made by Steven Gerrard. John Arne Riise sends in a cross, clearance by Scott Parker.

15:03

Corner taken right-footed by Tarik Elyounoussi, Steven Gerrard manages to make a clearance.

14:08

Effort on goal by Ashley Young from just inside the area clears the crossbar.

13:20

James Milner crosses the ball, clearance by Brede Hangeland.

12:30

The referee blows for offside. Free kick taken by Robert Green.

11:30

Corner taken by Morten Gamst Pedersen from the left by-line to the near post.

11:15

Markus Henriksen takes a shot. Save made by Robert Green.

10:08

Andy Carroll sends in a cross, clearance made by Brede Hangeland.

8:25

The assist for the goal came from Andy Carroll.

8:25 Goal scored

Goal - Ashley Young - Norway 0 - 1 England Ashley Young finds the back of the net with a goal from deep inside the penalty box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Norway 0-1 England.

4:32

Alexander Tettey concedes a free kick for a foul on Andy Carroll. Direct free kick taken by Scott Parker.

3:41

The ball is sent over by Stewart Downing, Andy Carroll has a headed effort at goal from close in which goes wide of the left-hand upright.

0:36

Foul by Stewart Downing on Tarik Elyounoussi, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Morten Gamst Pedersen.

0:00

The referee gets the game started.

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