Ashley Young gave Roy Hodgson a winning start as England manager on Saturday, scoring in the ninth minute for a 1-0 victory over Norway in the team's first European Championship warmup match.
Young combined with Andy Carroll and scored in his fourth consecutive national to provide Hodgson a potential striking partnership for the Euro opener against France on June 11, when Wayne Rooney will start a two-game suspension.
''I think he and Carroll have proved they can do that job,'' Hodgson told British broadcaster ITV. ''Both of them were really very good.''
But two weeks after taking over an England team rocked by Fabio Capello's resignation in February, Hodgson had his first setback.
Gareth Barry, who replaced captain Steven Gerrard at halftime, limped off in the 73rd with a groin injury and the midfielder will undergo scans before Tuesday's deadline to submit rosters to the Union of European Football Associations.
''If it's serious that will give me something to think about as we don't have much time left,'' Hodgson said.
England's victory was its first in Norway in four games since June 1966, just before England returned home and won its only World Cup title.
''It was a marvelous start to my career as the national team coach because it's not often Norway lose at home and it's a long while since we have won here,'' Hodgson said. ''I don't think you lay foundations in three days ... I hope any foundations we can lay will be in the coming weeks and months.''
Less than half the team that is likely to start England's first Euro match against France on June 11 made the starting lineup: Goalkeeper Joe Hart stayed on the bench and four Chelsea players were given an extended break after their Champions League final win a week ago.
Carroll was handed his first international start in 14 months, making just his fourth appearance.
Young, supporting Carroll up front, who ensured Hodgson's reign started with an early goal. Carroll flicked the ball from inside the England half to Young, who raced forward and spun around Brede Hangeland before striking into the net.
''I've just got to keep putting on a performance and we'll see what happens when it comes to the Euros,'' said Young. ''I think it went well with Andy Carroll. We've worked on the partnership during training and there were a few good combinations between us.''
After Young's opener, England goalkeeper Rob Green parried a rising shot from Markus Henriksen on his first start since fumbling Clint Dempsey's shot into the net in England's 2010 World Cup opener against the United States.
England's final match before Euro 2012 is at Wembley Stadium next Saturday against Belgium.
''We've only been together with the new manager for a few days but I think it's gone OK so far,'' Young said.
