Fortunate penalty sets England up for win over Slovenia

A Frank Lampard penalty and a well-taken goal from in-form Jermain Defoe saw England labour to a 2-1 friendly win over Slovenia today in a warmup for the home team's midweek World Cup qualifier against Croatia.

Slovenia's goal came from a near-post, diving header from substitute Zlatan Ljubijankic five minutes from time.

Lampard put England ahead with a fortunate 31st-minute penalty after the referee ruled that defender Bostjan Cesar fouled Wayne Rooney, a decision that seemed to surprise the striker as much as the 67,000 crowd at Wembley Stadium.

Defoe, who came on as a second-half substitute for Emile Heskey, maintained his superb start to the season with his seventh goal of the campaign for club and country, after 63 minutes.

He also scored both goals for England when they drew 2-2 with Netherlands last month.

Slovenia, who face Poland in an important World Cup qualifier on Wednesday, played some neat attractive football especially in the opening 30 minutes but never looked like winning the first meeting between the two countries.