Defoe lights up England hopes of bright future

The stadium DJ played that 1982 classic This Time (We'll Get It Right), a timeless reminder of the hope that accompanies England before the inevitable despair. This time, following the disappointment of Euro 2012, England got it right with their more cultured system and a fine finish from Jermain Defoe.

It was only a friendly but it will have lifted England's spirits. Of the five debut-makers, Jack Butland hardly put a glove wrong, and was not to blame for Daniele de Rossi's goal, Tom Cleverley impressed attacking through the centre, John Ruddy made a couple of good saves, Ryan Bertrand confirmed England's depth of options at left-back while Jake Livermore came on to stiffen midfield.

Along with Cleverley, the real positives of the night came from Kyle Walker at right-back, Michael Carrick in the middle, eventually assuming the captaincy, while Defoe's strike was a gem. Above all, the main success was Roy Hodgson's system.

When England had last run into Italy they were beaten on penalties, having seen their 4-4-1-1 system looking outdated and outmanoeuvred for two hours. The hope was that he would instill more fluidity, and England duly played here in 4-2-3-1 formation. After the early loss of a goal to De Rossi, England settled, equalising through Jagielka and looking far more of a cohesive unit and versatile force in their new system.

Frank Lampard and Michael Carrick, a figure of calm, were holding while Tom Cleverley, wearing the No 10 shirt, pushed on in support of Andy Carroll. Cleverley looked so lively in the opening exchanges that he even had the compliment of a clattering from De Rossi.

Italy's captain soon inflicted more substantial damage on England, giving his side the lead from a corner after 15 minutes. The situation was created when Butland made a smothering save from an Alessandro Diamanti free-kick, dropping to his left to push the ball out for a corner. England's response at defending the corner was abject. Michael Carrick failed to get close enough to De Rossi, who thundered his header past Butland.

The 19-year-old keeper had no chance. He actually acquitted himself well during his 45-minute stint before being replaced by John Ruddy, the first time England have had two debut-making goalkeepers in a game since Joe Corrigan and Jimmy Rimmer in 1976. Butland must have enjoyed the sight of two England fans' flags in particular, Cheltenham Town and Birmingham City. There were also two for Southampton, who have offered pounds 6?million for him.

As Butland picked the ball out of the net, chants of "Italia, Italia" rose from those populated sections of a half-full Stade de Suisse.

England's fans launched into The Self Preservation Society from the Italian Job, trying to rally the team who continued to look vulnerable for a while, particularly to balls lifted over the top of the defence.

When England's central midfield stood off, Alberto Aquilani advanced and unleashed a shot blocked by Jagielka. Then Mattia Destro raced through but fired over.

England tried to get going, occasionally going down the flanks, looking to Ashley Young and the right-sided Adam Johnson. This was a big occasion for Johnson in particular as his future at Manchester City remains unresolved. Everton are reported to have considered the possibility of taking him on loan. Johnson paraded glimpses of his undoubted skill, taking on Federico Balzaretti, the Roma left-back.

Johnson's aptitude has never been in question, only his application on and off the pitch. He occasionally cut in, even demanding a save from Salvatore Sirigu. Johnson particularly linked well with Kyle Walker.

From a Johnson pass, Walker darted through and won the corner that brought England's equaliser after 27 minutes. Lampard jogged across in front of the sea of England flags, declaring allegiance to everywhere from Basildon to Birmingham. Lampard curled in the corner which dipped towards the near-post. Jagielka had read the ball's movement well, running in, stooping and sending a header past Sirigu, the Paris St-Germain goalkeeper.

With three former Sheffield United players, Jagielka, Walker and Gary Cahill, in England's back-four it was only fitting that an ex-Blade should provide the cutting edge.

Jagielka's goal settled England and they began to put together some decent passing moves. Finally, the ball was being treated as a friend instead of players squandering possession, which so frequently scarred displays in the past. There was still the occasional hoof from Butland towards Carroll but it was largely more measured stuff from England for the rest of the half.

Cleverley was impressing, linking with Baines and making good ground towards the Italian box. Cleverley laid the ball off to Lampard, whose shot was hurriedly cleared by Sirigu. Cleverley then showed his willingness to track back, racing 50 yards with Ignazio Abate, who still managed to get a cross in from the right. Jagielka was well-positioned to intercept.

England almost took the lead before the break. This time it was Young and Lampard combining. When Young was fouled, Lampard lifted the free-kick over the Italian wall but it lacked sufficient dip.

Carroll departed at the break, having failed to give the type of performance that would indicate England should build around him. Wayne Rooney will return, although Hodgson has shown he prefers the Manchester United player in the hole while Danny Welbeck certainly deserves persevering with. The problem for Welbeck is gaining any match sharpness with Robin van Persie now arrived at Old Trafford to partner Rooney.

With Jermain Defoe replacing Carroll, England had a busier attack.

Yet Italy still threatened, and Ruddy did well to keep out a low shot from the excellent Destro.

Hodgson twisted again after the hour-mark, sending on James Milner and Joleon Lescott for Young and Jagielka respectively. There was to be a third debut, Jake Livermore replacing Lampard, who passed the armband to Carrick. England almost scored through Cahill and Lescott but Italy managed to keep the ball out.

Ryan Bertrand sprinted on, replacing Baines, promptly making a goal-line clearance. England broke. Milner made the break through the middle, Defoe took up the running, before turning and driving the ball majestically past Sirigiu.