England sweat over Barry as Oslo win gets Hodgson off and running

On a day when Euro 2012 heavyweights Germany and Holland both lost, England’s triumph in Norway represented a decent effort.

The result ended a five-match winless streak against the Scandinavians and cemented a first triumph since 1966, but of far more importance was the chance to bring together a team badly lacking preparation after only three days working with their new boss.

Yet it would be silly to gloss over the faults, and Saturday night’s display probably would not have been sufficient against the likes of Spain, or France, England’s first Group D opponents in Donetsk on June 11.

An inability to retain possession for any length of time continues to dog the national team, while Gareth Barry’s groin injury could trigger an unwanted squad reshuffle before Hodgson has to submit his 23 nominated players to UEFA tomorrow.

Still, Hodgson is satisfied to have a platform on which to build.

“I am aware that it is very much work in progress but after three days with this team I have to be satisfied with a more-than-reasonable performance,” said Hodgson.

“We showed a lot of discipline and worked very hard.

“We weren’t as good going forward as we are going to be, but we showed glimpses of it.”

With Scott Parker emerging unscathed from the 45-minute appearance he was scheduled to have, Hodgson pushed him for a bit longer and was delighted the Tottenham man suffered no reaction to his recent Achilles problem.

In contrast, fellow midfielder Barry provided a fitness scare and requires a scan after being forced off shortly after entering the fray as a half-time replacement for Steven Gerrard.

More should be known about Barry’s condition today, with standby players Jordan Henderson and Phil Jagielka in the frame to step in should the Manchester City midfielder be forced out.

Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck and Liverpool defender Glen Johnson will report to have their respective ankle and toe injuries assessed by the England medical team.

Concerns over Barry aside, Hodgson is at least in the happy position of having competition for places.

Joleon Lescott, Leighton Baines and Ashley Young – the goalscorer – all caught the eye and none of that trio could be regarded as a member of what, in theory, constitutes England’s first-choice line-up.

For a coach “parachuted in” with such limited build-up, Hodgson has reason to be thankful for the pre-tournament opponents lined up by predecessor Fabio Capello. Norway provided a taxing workout, and Belgium’s visit to Wembley next weekend should be a stiffer task still.

“I got a lot of answers from Norway because we were playing against a quality opponent,” said Hodgson.

Chris Coleman suffered defeat in his first match in charge of Wales as Aldo De Nigris’s double gave Mexico a deserved victory at MetLife Stadium in New York.

Scotland crashed 5-1 to the USA in Jacksonville, Landon Donovan scoring a hat-trick.