Nathaniel Clyne made a winning start to his England career as he starred in a 3-1 victory against Slovenia at Wembley.

The 23-year-old Saints right back was handed a Three Lions debut by Roy Hodgson and didn’t disappoint.

Clyne was arguably the best player on the pitch in the first half, with his surging runs from right back looking the most likely to create something for his country.

He remained defensively solid throughout and finished the game having only enhanced his growing reputation still further.

Wayne Rooney was the big headline grabber as he edged closer to England's all-time scoring record on the night of his 100th cap.

Few expected the Three Lions to come a cropper against the side ranked 36th in the world, yet they were given a scare on the way to maintaining their winning start to Euro 2016 qualifying.

Jordan Henderson's own goal had the potential to ruin Rooney's special night, yet he levelled from the spot just a minute later before a Danny Welbeck brace secured a 3-1 win.

It was a result which looked unlikely during a tepid first half in which the poor state of the Wembley pitch, scarred by last weekend's NFL match, did not help the flow of the game.

It took Henderson's 58th-minute own goal - the first England had conceded for 513 minutes - to spring the game into life, with Rooney earning a spot-kick from which he scored a minute later to move within five goals of Sir Bobby Charlton's record haul of 49.

The penalty moved him joint third with Jimmy Greaves and kick-started an England comeback, with Welbeck scoring two goals of vastly differing quality to secure another Group E win.

Rooney led the team out at Wembley with his children, Kai and Klay.

Sir Bobby Charlton, rather aptly, presented Rooney with his 100th cap to applause from peers and fans alike.

The visitors' manager, Srecko Katanec, hoped that the poor Wembley surface would act in their favour, and they could have been celebrating a surprise fourth-minute lead had Andraz Kirm directed a close-range header on target.

Joe Hart easily gathered and launched an attack which culminated in Jack Wilshere playing a fine pass to Rooney, only for the skipper to miscontrol.

It was little more than a half-chance - a theme which continued as England struggled to breakdown Slovenia's defence.

It was not until the 17th minute that Hodgson's men fashioned an opportunity of note. Clyne showed England fans what Saints supporters have been seeing all season as he did well to lose his marker down the right and cut back for Rooney, whose flick onwards was put wide by Sterling.

The Liverpool flyer failed in attempts to get away another shot soon after, before Rooney blazed over following decent control by former Manchester United team-mate Danny Welbeck.

England were dominating possession but lacking a cutting edge, allowing Slovenia another decent chance to go ahead as the half-hour mark approach.

Having seen a cut back blocked by Clyne, Milivoje Novakovic lost Phil Jagielka from the resulting corner and powered a header just wide.

There was a collective gasp from those inside Wembley, who were soon cheering ironically when Jasmin Kurtic's over-hit back pass forced Samir Handanovic into a save.

Welbeck twice missed the target before half-time - no doubt a welcome period of respite for Adam Lallana after being on the end of a few strong challenges, including a blow to the face from Cesar.

None of them were bad enough to force the Liverpool midfielder off and his corner provided the first chance of the second half, with Rooney heading wide soon after the restart.

England were now playing with more energy, epitomised by Sterling bursting to the byline before floating in a cross headed away for a corner by Ales Mertelj.

Rooney had a shot blocked as the hosts upped the ante, only for play to be broken up by Valter Birsa receiving lengthy treatment following a challenge by Kieran Gibbs, which saw the Arsenal left-back booked.

Jagielka saw a header denied by Handanovic soon after, before this dull encounter got the shot in the arm it so desperately needed.

Slovenia were awarded a free-kick on the left flank after Lallana was adjudged to have fouled Kirm. Novakovic whipped it in and Jordan Henderson inadvertently headed into his own goal past Hart.

It was the first goal conceded by England in 513 minutes and one they reacted to impeccably.

Rooney's directness from a Wilshere ball caused the Slovenian backline a headache, with Cesar accidentally clipping him in the box.

The Three Lions captain stepped up to take the spot-kick, getting the better of Handanovic with a powerful effort which saw him move joint third in England's all-time scoring records alongside Jimmy Greaves.

Things got better still for the hosts in the 66th minute as Lallana followed an impressive turn with a driven cross which Handanovic could only parry, with Welbeck scruffily hitting home the rebound.

The goal, which arrived shortly after Gary Cahill blocked off Kevin Kampl, appeared to shell-shock the previously stubborn visitors, who conceded a third in the 72nd minute.

It was a strike down to the class of England rather than poor Slovenia play, though, as Gibbs passed to Welbeck, who played a fine one-two with Sterling before impressively slotting home.

The quality of the goal was a far cry to what England had created for the most part and, not long afterwards, Clyne was fortunate Slovenia did not capitalise on his one lapse of the game, although he was booked as he attempted to make amends.

Welbeck and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had shots blocked as England looked for a fourth towards the end of a game in which Sterling and Jagielka were booked.

The latter was replaced after appearing to pick up a knock, which is perhaps why Mertelj was able to hit wide in stoppage-time.

However, when the final whistle went it was a win for England and a day to remember for Clyne.