After a very poor first-half England finally came to life in this latest European Championship Qualifier, but not before they had gone a goal down to a 'superb' own goal from Jordan Henderson.  In fact, their response to going a goal behind was probably the key to winning the match.

The first ten minutes opened with the usual pattern of recent England internationals, with a probing, cautious approach.  The only threat coming from a long ball to Wayne Rooney, which the new appearance centurion failed to control properly.  The skipper becomes the ninth England player to win 100 caps for his country, and appropriately he received his Golden Cap from the one and only Bobby Charlton, whose record 49 goals total is now within Rooney's sight.  In that first-half though, further goals for Rooney seemed a million miles away as England passed square and backwards many more times than they passed forward.  To be fair, when the back players were in possession there was a distinct lack of movement from the forward players, and there was also a lack of width amongst the midfield players.  It was frustrating to watch.  Having said that, there were very useful contributions from the new full-back partnership of Nathaniel Clyne and Kieron Gibbs.  Clyne showed what a class act he is by regularly being available on the right, and yet defending well when called upon.  Gibbs meanwhile also looked comfortable going forward as England continued to probe the well-organised visitor's defence.

Slovenia were a big side and England had to work hard to try and find a way through.  In the 15th minute, there was a brief glimpse of goal as Clyne passed to Rooney and he set up Raheem Sterling, but alas the final shot went wide.  Then three minutes later Gibbs and Rooney combined for Sterling, but this time the Liverpool player was crowded out by some good defending.  On 20 minutes another England attack saw a long ball reach Danny Welbeck, the centre-forward chesting the ball down for Rooney to shoot over from 20 yards.  Still the Slovenian goalkeeper, Samir Handanovic had not been tested, and the match was somewhat scrappy.  England were struggling with the diamond formation, the passing was poor and Slovenia were able to defend with a large degree of comfort.  They had a chance themselves when Milivoje Novakovic headed wide from a corner, and it was a warning to England.

The remainder of the half didn't show much improvement as Welbeck headed weakly wide, and then shot over after Rooney and Henderson had combined to set him up.  Twice Adam Lallana took awful corners that gave possession away very cheaply and the nearest that England came to a goal was after Jasmin Kurtic passed back to his goalkeeper a little too firmly and only an outstretched leg from the keeper saved the day.  Surely the second half could not be as bad?

Straight after the restart it was obvious that a few words had been said at the break, because England were quickly on to the front foot and attacked in a much more determined manner.  Rooney went close with a header from a corner and Sterling almost wriggled through.  Gibbs and Welbeck combined but Rooney just couldn't quite find the space for a shot, but the signs were better.  Gibbs picked up a booking, as did Clyne on his debut, the latter a bit unfortunate.  On 55 minutes great work by Rooney set up a header by Phil Jagielka but the goalkeeper was equal to it.  Two minutes later and the ball was suddenly in England's net!

England gave away a silly free-kick on the left, not for the first time on the night, and Novakovic's lovely flighted cross was 'brilliantly' headed home by Henderson, into his own net!  It was a goal many a centre-forward would have been proud of, although I don't think Joe Hart was too pleased.

If ever a quick response was required from England it was now.  Luckily for them, and probably crucially in the context of the match, they found the perfect reposte.  A positive move forward found Rooney on the edge of the Slovenian penalty area, and as he weaved his way into the box Bostjan Cesar clipped him from behind.  The referee had no hesitation and awarded the spot-kick.  It was only going to be one player who was going to take the kick and Rooney celebrated his special night by shooting home, despite Handanovic getting a firm hand to the ball.  It was the tonic England needed desperately, and to be fair, from then on they took command of the game.

Three minutes later though England nearly shot themselves in the foot again as Jagielka made a mistake that almost led to Kevin Kampl restoring the Slovenian lead.  Luckily for England and the Everton man, Gary Cahill made a splendid block tackle to save the day.  But five minutes later England did gain the lead for the first time, and although the goal was a little scrappy, it came after a strong attacking spell.  Lallana featured heavily, and it was his cross that the goalkeeper couldn't hold, and as the ball bounced out Welbeck followed up to scuff a bouncing shot into the open part of the net.  Scruffy, but effective, and because of their dominant possession it was just about deserved by England.

On 70 minutes Lallana's deep cross was headed over by Rooney, but two minutes later England sealed the result with a fine third goal.  In the best move of the match Lallana passed to Gibbs, on to Welbeck, a lovely one-two with Sterling and a cool, composed finish from the Arsenal striker.  It was a fine goal and at this level you have to admire Welbeck's goalscoring record.

A succession of substitutes followed in the last 15 minutes but chances still came along, mostly for England.  Clyne's only error of the game was almost punished by Rajko Rotman as the substitute hit a fierce shot just wide.  At the other end Welbeck went close again and late substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain showed an admirable appetite for attacking.  Twice he went close and after Sterling received a very unlucky booking Oxlade-Chamberlain so nearly put Rooney in for a goal.  The final action saw another fierce shot, this time from Ales Mertelj, that flew just wide of Hart's goal.

In the end it was a comfortable win for England, and there were good individual performances, from the back four, Rooney, Welbeck and, in the second half, Wilshere.  However it has to be said that it would be nice if a good England performance could last for the full 90 minutes rather than just 45.  But we go into the New Year with 12 points out of 12 in our group, and you cannot argue with that.