England 1 - 0 Wales: Earnshaw left to rue miss as England hold on for victory

Young struck his third goal for his country ten minutes before half-time when converting from Stewart Downing’s low cross. But England were unimpressive and relieved when Wales substitute Robert Earnshaw shot over from less than six yards out with the goal gaping.

Fabio Capello recalled midfielder Frank Lampard to the England starting line-up to replace the injured Theo Walcott while James Milner was included in place of Scott Parker.

England enjoyed plenty of possession in the early stages against a Wales side searching for their first Wembley win for 34 years. Lampard nearly caught out the visitors with a 50-yard pass over the top of the defence for Wayne Rooney but the ball skidded off the surface through to Wayne Hennessey. Darcy Blake was forced to concede the first corner and John Terry would have been disappointed not to hit the target when he headed wide from Ashley Young’s centre.

Wales retaliated and Young brought down Gareth Bale to the right of the England box with the teasing free-kick from the Tottenham player headed past the post by Ashley Williams.

Rooney looked full of confidence after his two goals against Bulgaria but one chip from just outside the Wales box was too high.

Milner became the first player to be booked after 20 minutes for a late touchline challenge on Bale.

Young dragged a cross back from the byline but it was just too far behind Downing for him to keep his volley down.

England enjoyed the majority of possession but were struggling to break down a well-organised Welsh side as the game went past the half hour mark.

Chris Gunter dispossessed Cole before embarking on a powerful run but his finish was woeful and flew at least 10 yards wide. But after 35 minutes Young broke the deadlock with a clinical finish.

Downing easily skipped past Joe Ledley before turning the ball across the six-yard box and Young made no mistake at the near post. It was Young’s third goal for his country. Downing was full of confidence and a 50-yard ball aimed at Rooney prompted Hennessey to race out of his box to volley clear.

England began the second half at a higher tempo and a reverse pass from Lampard played in Young whose cross-shot was beaten away by Hennessey. Barry had time to line up a shot when in space 20 yards out but failed to hit the target.

England were almost caught napping when Bale’s pass picked out Aaron Ramsey ten yards out.

It needed a superb interception by Barry to deny the Arsenal player a clear opportunity. Steve Morison made way for Earnshaw after 67 minutes, and the substitute was to emerge as a central figure in the match, albeit not in a positive way for Wales.

Wales immediately began to show signs of threatening an equaliser and Bale curled a free-kick just over the bar. But a terrible miss from Earnshaw after 76 minutes denied the visitors an equaliser.

Blake turned a free-kick from Bale back across the box and Earnshaw was left with the goal at his mercy. But the Cardiff player contrived to send his shot over the bar.

England: Hart, Smalling, Terry, Cahill, Cole, Milner, Lampard (Parker 73), Barry, Downing (Johnson 79), Young, Rooney (Carroll 89). Subs not used: Stockdale, Jagielka, Lescott, Defoe.

Wales: Hennessey, Gunter, Williams, Blake, Taylor, Bale, Crofts, Collison (King 85), Ramsey, Ledley, Morison (Earnshaw 68). Subs not used: Myhill, D Collins, J Collins, Allen, Robson-Kanu.