Connor Wickham was the match-winner for England U21s as Stuart Pearce’s side beat Norway to qualify for the Euro 2013 play-offs.
Wickham pounced just before the break to seal the victory in a very tight contest in Chesterfield and put the Three Lions one step closer to the Finals in Israel next summer.
With earlier results favouring both sides, Pearce and his opposite number Per Hansen knew that a play-off place was guaranteed, whatever the result in this game. But a point for England would have taken top spot and put them in Pot A in the draw.
Having been without goalkeeper Jason Steele for the game in Azerbaijan due to illness, Pearce lost Nathan Delfouneso on the day of the game in similar circumstances. He was also without influential defender Craig Dawson, suspended for his second yellow card in qualification in the win in Baku.
It meant that England had five changes to the starting team, with Steele returning, Leicester City’s Ben Marshall earning his first start, Ryan Bennett was at centre-back while Wickham was supported just behind by Martyn Waghorn.
To find out more about the England team log on to: http://www.thefa.com/england
