England began their Euro 2016 preparations with a hard-fought, if not entirely convincing, victory over Turkey in their first home match on the road in nine years, yesterday.

Roy Hodgson’s men played the first of three warm-up matches at a sparsely-filled Etihad Stadium.

There were more people at Wembley for non-league day, but the 44,866 in Manchester saw a competitive encounter, with Jamie Vardy’s close-range strike sealing a 2-1 win in England’s first match away from their London home since 2007.

The friendly was far tougher than it looked like being after the hosts raced into a third-minute lead, with Dele Alli’s quick feet putting through Harry Kane to coolly slot home, with the assistant failing to flag for a clear offside against the Tottenham striker.

Fatih Terim’s visitors quickly rallied, though, and raised fresh questions over England’s defence by all too easily getting behind the backline and drawing out Joe Hart as Hakan Calhanoglu turned the ball home.

Turkey were unfortunate not to add to their first ever goal against England, but were unable to beat the Three Lions at the 11th time of asking as Vardy netted late on.

Vardy fired home from close range after Kane’s penalty miss, given for a foul on the Leicester City striker in the 71st minute, did not cost England on a day when Hodgson’s side rode their luck at times.