Townsend took England's No 7 shirt – so did his goal mean he Bent It Like Beckham?

Andros Townsend was handed a shock start by Roy Hodgson in the boldest move by an England manager in qualifying since Steve McClaren selected Scott Carson as goalkeeper for the match against Croatia that led to this country’s absence from Euro 2008.
The aim this time would be to create goals rather than stop them, though, and the 22-year-old wore the No 7 shirt accordingly.
It was the position David Beckham called his own on the way to winning 115 caps. It was also the role occupied by David Bentley before his star faded after just 7 caps. Only time will tell which player Townsend will greater emulate but he made a decent start on Friday night.

Goalscoring hero: Andros Townsend scored on his international debut to justify Roy Hodgson's faith in him

 

Here are his contributions, minute by minute.
3 mins – His first meaningful touch is a neat flick and feed to Daniel Sturridge.
6 mins – A trademark burst from midfield. The Tottenham winger clears two Montenegro players but is dispossessed by Nikola Drincic. Goes down looking for free-kick… I thought he was going to cut that out?
7 mins – Brings it forward again and offers to overlapping fullback Kyle Walker but his pass pushes his club team-mate a little wide meaning he is unable to complete a cross.

Poised: Andros Townsend would have been keen to make the most of his England opportunity

Weight of expectation: David Beckham has yet to be truly replaced in the England team

9 mins – Turns Dejan Damjanovic and gives it simple, then reacts quickest to a deflected Frank Lampard pass but produces too heavy a first touch.
11 mins – Feeds Wayne Rooney and races for a return that never comes.
12 mins – Receives out wide and passes back as no options going forward.
13 mins – Has hand up on touchline as Rooney patrols midfield and is found with a precise pass. Beats Milan Jovanovic but is tackled by Vladimir Volkov.

15 mins – Moment to get fans from their seats. Picks it up deep and runs at the defenders, going past a couple before Stevan Jovetic is penalised for a cynical foul.

Promising talent: But David Bentley's career has gone worryingly backwards since its peak in 2007/2008

18 mins – Rides a rough challenge to keep the England move alive, then when it breaks down finds the ball and plays to Lampard. He relays to Steven Gerrard who shoots over.
28 mins – Receives from Gerrard and tries get past Volkov but is tackled.
32 mins – Not quick enough to reach an errant Gerrard pass but soon plays a one-two with Walker that keeps England ticking over.
34 mins – Finds space to receive a chipped ball from Rooney chipped ball, then cuts inside but his pass to Sturridge is intercepted.

Pacey: And Towsend's with provided Roy Hodgson's team with a good outlet

38 mins – Fine play. Rescues what looked a lost cause by running round the blindside of Jovanovic and keeping the ball in play. It leads to a shot from Gerrard that needs to be saved.
40 mins – Predicts Rooney’s clever glancing pass to the wing and races into space before cutting inside – once more – and driving a left-foot shot that takes a nick and is palmed out by goalkeeper Vukasin Poleksic only to Rooney. But he slices wide.
41 mins – Rides lunge from Volkov.
43mins – Loses ball but tracks back to gain it once more.

Going to ground: Townsend had said he would try to limit that side of his game

46 mins – Quick give and go for an assured start to the second half.
47 mins – A pass to Sturridge is intercepted by Jovanovic.
48 mins – Big moment. Sets up England breakthrough by running 50 yards down the wing, turning Jovanovic inside out, and crossing for Danny Welbeck. His shot is saved but Rooney putsin the rebound.
54 mins – Loses possession and the ball is chipped over his head to forcing Walker to foul Jovetic and get a booking.
57 mins – Exchanges passes with Walker and runs across the 18-yard looking for a shot but checks back and passes to Gerrard when no opening comes.

Going close: Townsend wasn't reluctant to shoot on sight

58 mins – Beats Volkov for what feels like the umpteenth time and gives to an overlapping Rooney.
59 mins – Looks to be getting on the end of diagonal pass from Gerrard but Jovanovic nods behind. Then makes himself available to Baines for a short corner, cuts onto left, and drills low but soft shot that is saved.
64 mins – Gets rugby tackled by Jovanovic but the referee plays advantage instead of whistling.

Close control: Towsend showed good ball retention in the build-up to his goal

The goal: Townsend showed true purpose and belief to score England's third goal

Time to celebrate: Townsend will now be expecting to retain his England starting spot

80 mins – The debut boy is replaced by Jack Wilshere to a standing ovation from the Wembley crowd.
Full-time: Townsend is named Man of the Match by the Wembley Stadium announcer

Man of the Match: Townsend couldn't have hoped for much better on his international debut

Subbed: But England manager Roy Hodgson would have been pleased with Townsend's contribution