England 2-1 Switzerland

Jermaine Jenas and Shaun Wright-Phillips were both on target at Wembley as Fabio Capello's reign as England Manager started with victory over Switzerland. 

The night would have given the Italian plenty of food for thought with a number of other players looking lively over the 90 minutes, despite a nervy start.

But when Tottenham midfielder Jenas opened both his and the Manager's England account just before the break, the Three Lions looked more relaxed.

Eren Derdiyok's goal, coming against the run of play, did offer a set-back on 58 minutes, but Wright-Phillips prodded home Steven Gerrard's pass four minutes later and victory was assured.  

One of the evening's star performers, David Bentley, began brightly in his first England start with some confident touches on the right side of midfield and linked well with Wes Brown at full-back.

After just five minutes Bentley showed his variation in passing range as he shared short passes with Jermaine Jenas, before sweeping a low drive to the far side of the pitch to bring Joe Cole into the play.

Captaining England, Steven Gerrard inspired an early move that almost lead to a goal for Wayne Rooney. Trading passes with Joe Cole before the Chelsea midfielder slid a fine ball to Rooney, unfortunately for the home side Diego Benaglio was quick off his line.

Bentley was involved in one of the moves of the first half that could have lead to the opening goal. Finding space on the edge of the area, the Blackburn midfielder played a superbly weighted pass into the path of Jenas and despite Joe Cole finding himself unmarked in the six-yard box, the cross was cut out by Benaglio.

Joe Cole fired the first real effort that troubled the Swiss keeper, striking the ball after a block shot from Gerrard fell loose on the edge of the area. It was fierce from the Chelsea man, but right down the middle.

Moments later, Bentley had a go from distance and almost embarrassed Benaglio, but his snap shot was narrowly too high.

Five minutes before the interval England were in front, and the man to score the first goal of the Capello era was Jermaine Jenas.

Joe Cole again provided the ammunition as he glided past Lichtsteiner to the bye-line and pulled back to Jenas in space six yards out who guided home.

England were unchanged at the start of the second period, and though the visitors made three changes it was Benaglio who then pulled off a stunning save to deny Jenas a second goal, this time a half volley from the edge of the area. A deep cross from Bentley was not cleared by the Swiss defence, and when the ball looped back for Jenas he wasted no time in firing with his left foot towards the bottom corner.

Moments after a double change for England, Switzerland had levelled the scores with a fine finish from Eren Derdiyok. Kobi Kuhn's players exchanged passes on the edge of the area before Barnetta released Derdiyok whose acurate left foot snap-shot was too good for David James.

It took England less than five minutes to retake the lead. Rooney played in Gerrard with a superb flick and the England skipper's cross was tapped in by the substitute Wright-Phillips.

England were back on form and chances came at more regular intervals after retaking the lead; first Rooney showed quick feet to evade three players and fire a powerful effort narrowly off target, then Wright-Phillips again went close before Bentley played a superbly lofted pass to Crouch which the Liverpool man volleyed into Benaglio's hands.

Capello brought Owen Hargreaves, Wayne Bridge and Ashley Young into the action towards the end of the game but the sense of organisation and tactical understanding remained as first Bentley and then Rooney switched roles.

The first step on the road for Capello was a victorious one, with a number of highlights not least the confident performances of David Bentley, Joe Cole, and a first goal for Jermaine Jenas.

For England a winning start to 2008, and a winning start to the new era.

England
1 David James, 2 Wes Brown, 3 Ashley Cole (16 Wayne Bridge, 74 mins), 4 Gareth Barry (18 Owen Hargreaves, 74 mins), 5 Rio Ferdinand, 6 Matthew Upson, 7 David Bentley, 8 Jermaine Jenas (17 Shaun Wright-Phillips, 57 mins), 9 Wayne Rooney (19 Ashley Young, 87 mins), 10 Steven Gerrard (c), 11 Joe Cole (21 Peter Crouch, 57 mins).
Subs not used 12 Scott Carson, 13 Micah Richards, 14 Joleon Lescott, 15 Jonathan Woodgate,  20 Michael Owen, 22 Jermain Defoe, 23 Chris Kirkland

Switzerland
12 Diego Benaglio, 4 Philippe Senderos (13 Stephane Grichting, 55 mins), 10 Daniel Gygax (38 Eren Derdiyok, 46 mins), 16 Tranquillo Barnetta, 17 Christoph Spycher, 22 Hakan Yakin (5 Xavier Margairaz, 64 mins), 27 Gokhan Inler, 29 Stephan Lichsteiner (19 Valon Behrami, 46 mins), 31 Blaise Nkufo (28 Johann Vonlanthen, 46 mins), 33 Gelson Fernandes (24 Benjamin Huggel, 84 mins), 34 Mario Eggimann.
Subs not used 1 Pascal Zuberbuhler, 21 Fabio Coltorti, 30 Reto Ziegler.