Roy Hodgson saluted Wayne Rooney and Jack Wilshere after they fired England to a thrilling win over Slovenia.

Slovenia 1 Scotland 1

Jermain Defoe has been included in England’s starting line-up for the first time since the opening competitive match of Fabio Capello’s reign for the vital World Cup clash with Slovenia.

UNITED STATES midfielder Landon Donovan and coach Bob Bradley were both left without an answer as to why what would have been a winning goal in their dramatic World Cup Group C match against Slovenia yesterday was disallowed.

NORTHERN IRELAND manager Nigel Worthington told his players to continue dreaming of a place at the World Cup after Warren Feeney earned them victory over Group Three rivals Slovenia.