Fortunately for Fabio Capello, the new England team were a good deal easier on the eye than their new kit. That looked awful. The dark blue shirts and powder-blue shorts nothing like England.

But a side inspired by a rejuvenated Wayne Rooney and a bold, attacking system played in a manner that amounted to a significant step forward for their Italian manager.

A new shape, a few new faces, a new head of hair and what felt like the dawn of a new era.

It was the first competitive game since that World Cup quarter-final encounter with Brazil nine years ago that England had started without either Steven Gerrard or Frank Lampard.

High five: Gary Cahill slides in to put England ahead

Lampard found himself on the bench until well into the  second half, and it is probably where he will stay if Capello now sees this as the future. Remember, Capello still has Jack Wilshere to come back. Not to mention Gerrard.

With Scott Parker and Gareth Barry deployed as a shield for the back four, Capello gave a four-man forward line of Rooney,  Ashley Young, Theo Walcott and Stewart Downing a licence to attack with real purpose.   

What a difference it makes to England when Rooney is on his game. Capello is  reluctant to admit to his team’s reliability on his best player but when he brings the form he has been showing recently for Manchester United to the national side, England’s  players shift up a couple of gears.

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