England have made an assured start in their first fixture under the stewardship of Roy Hodgson and deservedly lead at the break against Norway.

Ashley Young, who has been deployed in a central role just behind target man Andy Carroll, opened the scoring after eight minutes.

The Manchester United man led a rapid England counter attack and, after darting through the centre of the field and beating Brede Hangeland for pace, he coolly slid the ball past Rune Almenning Jarstein into the corner of the goal.

The Three Lions - playing a 4-4-1-1 formation - have proved difficult to break down and have largely restricted Norway's attackers to speculative efforts from distance.

The home side have enjoyed the majority share of possession but Hodgson's men have looked threatening on the break.

Prior to Young's opener, Carroll sent a diving header inches wide following a low cross from Stewart Downing.

James Milner could have doubled the lead on 34 minutes but he fired straight at Jarstein from 10 yards.