Wayne Rooney makes his leadership debut in a win as England defeated against Norway

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Wayne Rooney marked his first game as captain with a goal as England overcame Norway 1-0 in an international friendly at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday. The Manchester United striker smashed home a 68th-minute penalty won by the impressive Raheem Sterling to give England victory in their first game since they exited the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ at the group stage.

It was his 41st goal for his country, taking him above Michael Owen in the all-time scorers' list, and sawEngland end a run of five games without victory ahead of Monday's opening UEFA EURO 2016 qualifier in Switzerland. England manager Roy Hodgson also gave debuts to Aston Villa midfielder Fabian Delph and Arsenal defender Calum Chambers, whose new team-mate Danny Welbeck caught the eye as a second-half substitute.

Sterling provided a spark in an otherwise lacklustre evening at Wembley. His raking 40-yard ball set up a chance for Liverpool team-mate Daniel Sturridge, who could only lob over the bar. Sterling set up Sturridge again and then Leighton Baines later on, but both saw their shots blocked.

In response, Tarik Elyounoussi warmed Joe Hart's palms with a 25-yard drive. Hart almost fumbled a cross into his own net shortly before half-time, but he showed his class early in the second period with a brilliant flying save to repel a header from Blackburn Rovers forward Joshua King.

The same player, a former Manchester United trainee, then forced Hart to block at his near post after Gary Cahill undercooked a back-pass wide on the England right. There was a blow for Norway when Cardiff City midfielder Mats Moeller Daehli had to be stretchered off after injuring his knee in an attempt to tackle Sterling.

Sterling continued to torment the Norwegian defence and after he lured Omar Elabdellaoui into a mistimed lunge, Rooney fired England ahead from the spot. Moments later Rooney gave way for Welbeck, now his former United team-mate following his deadline-day move to Arsenal.

The 23-year-old was quickly involved, testing Norway goalkeeper Orjan Haskjold Nyland with a fierce drive and flashing a cross across goal. Delph and Chambers also entered the fray, the latter in place of Everton's John Stones, who looked sure-footed on his first international start.