Matt makes the difference

Matt Derbyshire fired England to a narrow 1-0 victory over Montenegro in Leicester as they moved to the top of Group Three.

The Blackburn forward seized his only real opportunity of the game to hand the Three Lions an important three points and retain their 100% record on the road to Sweden.

Pearce and his side started the game knowing that a win would put them firmly in control of the table after Portugal had earlier lost in Bulgaria, but it was Montenegro who seemed more spurred on by the news and came out the liveliest. Particularly their 17-year-old skipper Stevan Jovetic, the Partizan Belgrade forward, who tested Joe Hart with an early effort from 25 yards, which was dealt with easily by the current Manchester City number one.

England began to find their rhythm soon, though, as well as a promising route to goal. Tom Huddlestone's corners caused problems in a disorganised Montenegro defence, the first of which was headed on to the post by captain Steven Taylor.

More followed throughout the game, each time England looking dangerous and, more often than not, it was Taylor who was the beneficiary. Nedum Onuoha did strike the woodwork too, with a powerful header just after the hour mark.

Surprisingly, however, when the opening goal did arrive, it wasn't from a wide area, but from the centre.

Matt Derbyshire and Gabriel Agbonlahor have become a good partnership for the Under-21s this season, and again linked up well, both creating chances for one another. Agbonlahor's 13th minute cross from the left was headed straight at the keeper Ivan Janjusevic by Derbyshire, then five minutes later, Derbyshire returned the favour from the right. This time the Villa man's close range shot hit the face of Janjusevic and deflected away to safety.

Derbyshire hung around and took up a position between the Montenegro defenders. When England regained attacking momentum seconds later, Milner fed a pin-point ball through the gap, enticing the Ivan Fatic out and leaving Derbyshire free. Bad mistake. The pass found Derbyshire and he carried the ball into the box before slotting through Janjusevic's legs for his fourth goal in eight appearances.

An injury soon after to Southampton midfielder Andrew Surman meant he could not continue and Pearce had to change personnel. On the half-hour mark on came Birmingham's Fabrice Muamba for his fourth cap.

England's next chance came from Agbonlahor just before the break. He worked some magic, weaving into the box, but as he prepared to let rip with a shot, Brnovic slid in with a last-ditch tackle to snuff it out.

Despite being the more productive of the two sides, England failed to capitalise on their superiority and could have been made to pay for a number of uncertain passes on a very slippery surface. But a lack of quality in the Montenegro side, who were playing only their fourth competitive match at this level since separating from Serbia, meant Joe Hart was largely untroubled.

However, Janjusevic at the other end was called into action more often, mainly from crosses and corners. Milner's turn on Huddlestone's pass opened up the space for a shot from thirty yards, which was palmed over, if very theatrically, by the keeper. Huddlestone also had an effort, but his well-controlled left-foot drive skidded just wide of the post.

Agbonlahor had England's last opportunity, again from a deep Huddlestone pass, but after shrugging off the falling Brnovic, he fired his shot into the stand behind.

Pearce's side now travel to Ireland on Tuesday, and another three points is the priority.

England
1 Joe Hart, 2 Martin Cranie, 3 Andrew Taylor, 4 Andrew Surman (14 Fabrice Muamba, 30), 5 Steven Taylor (c), 6 Nedum Onuoha, 7 James Milner, 8 Tom Huddlestone, 9 Matt Derbyshire (17 Cameron Jerome, 79), 10 Gabriel Agbonlahor (16 Michael Kightly, 83), 11 Theo Walcott.
Subs not used 12 David Wheater, 13 Ben Alnwick, 15 Adam Johnson, 18 Luke Moore

Coach Stuart Pearce

Goals Derbyshire 20

Bookings none

Montenegro
1 Ivan Janjusevic, 2 Aleksander Radovic, 3 Blazo Igumanovic, 5 Milko Novakovic, 6 Predrag Brnovic, 7 Darko Boskovic (17 Zijad Adrovic, 87), 8 Stevan Jovetic (c), 10 Marko Cetkovic (18 Goran Vujovic, 74), 14 Marko Vidovic, 20 Ivan Fatic, 22 Luka Tiodorovic (9 Krsto Zvicer, 90)
Subs not used 11 Petar Vukcevic, 12 Bojan Radanovic, 15 Mijusko Bojovic, 16 Miroje Jovanovic

Coach Dusan Vlaisavljevic

Bookings Aleksander Radovic, 85

Referee Anders Hermansen (Denmark)
Assistant Referees Henrik Sonderby and Niels Hog (Denmark)

Fourth Official Michael Johansen (Denmark)

Attendance 20,022