How the game unfolded for England's debutant starters Andy Carroll and Jordan Henderson.
How the game unfolded for England's two debutant starters at Wembley as Andy Carroll and Jordan Henderson experienced mixed nights at Wembley
A disappointing night ended in defeat but Fabio Capello, if not the supporters, could draw consolation from the fact he was able to blood three debutants and give further playing time to Kieran Gibbs. Cardiff City striker Jay Bothroyd was handed a late run-out from the bench but it was Andy Carroll and Jordan Henderson who stole the pre-match talk as they were handed debuts from the start. Here,
skysports.com looks at their contributions via our exhaustive player clockwatches.
Andy Carroll clockwatch
One minute: Lines up as England's lone striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation and wins a free-kick 25 yards out after jostling with Phillipe Mexes.
Four: Fouled again after being knocked down from behind by Adil Rami but the referee plays advantage.
Seven: Drops deep to pick up the ball before floating a cross to Steven Gerrard from the touchline.
12: Knocks down to find James Milner, who releases Theo Walcott but he is blocked by a French defender.
14: Plays a hospital pass back to Phil Jagielka, who manages to clear under pressure 30 yards from England's goal.
15: No sign of any injury problems yet as he covers a lot of ground in the opening exchanges.
20: Beats Yann M'Vila to the ball to set up an England break after spending most of the previous 10 minutes stranded while France dominate the game.
27: Presence in the air proving to be England's biggest threat. Wins the ball in the air again and knocks down to Milner.
28: Another high ball comes his way. He beats Rami to the ball again to find Gerrard but he fails to test the keeper.
30: Crashes into Rami with his boot as the French defender goes for a diving header on the halfway line.
31: Capitalises on Rami's mis-placed header to cut inside Mexes but his 20-yard shot goes straight into Hugo Lloris' arms.
38: Beats Mexes with a stepover 30 yards from goal before being challenged by Bacary Sagna.
56: Turns Rami on the edge of the box but is soon swamped by two French defenders.
60: Still no sign of injury impeding him as he beats Rami to a header once more.
68: Fails to read a pass and takes the ball out of Gerrard's path as England look to get back in the game.
69: Beats his marker to meet Gerrard's cross but heads straight at the keeper.
71: Is given a standing ovation as he is replaced by Jay Bothroyd.
Jordan Henderson clockwatch
One minute: Wins the ball back after losing it to Philippe Mexes to release Steven Gerrard down the right.
Eight: Fails to stop Florent Malouda from unleashing France's first effort on target.
22: The opening quarter passes him by, with France dominating possession in the middle of the park.
34: Lets Malouda drift by him before the Frenchman fires a shot from a tight angle into Ben Foster's arms.
37: Caught by a late sliding challenge from Samir Nasri that goes un-punished.
47: Enters the book for sending Yoann Gourcuff flying with a late sliding tackle.
50: Cannot keep pace with Gourcuff as the midfielder runs at the home defence and wins a corner.
67: Cuts a frustrated figure on the half-way line as his latest attempt to influence the game with a pass fails.
68: Dithers on the ball, allowing Alou Diarra to steal the ball just as he is about to shoot from 25 yards.
How did the debuting duo do on the night? Did Andy Carroll prove he can cut it at the highest level or is he still very much a work in progress? Was Jordan Henderson overwhelmed on his bow or was he just up against a rejuvenated France midfield? Have your say by filling in the feedback form below...
