Centurion Wayne Rooney Sparks England Comeback but Danny Welbeck Steals the Show

Winning his 100th international cap, Wayne Rooney was always going to make for an easy headline when England faced Slovenia at Wembley.

By hook or by crook, the England captain has had that right stolen from him, though.

At one point it looked like Jordan Henderson would be the culprit after his second-half own goal put Slovenia ahead, but it soon transpired that Danny Welbeck would steal the show, grabbing a brace to give England a 3-1 win.

This wasn't pretty from Roy Hodgson's side, although they got the job done, finding a way past tricky opponents to maintain their 100 per cent start to qualifying for Euro 2016.

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Defensively organised and digging in their heels, Slovenia set their stool out from the outset, letting England know they would have to earn their victory, which they did.

For all the negatives that have followed the Three Lions since their World Cup debacle, this is progress. It may well be small steps, but nonetheless, this is a young team moving in the right direction.

When Hodgson took over the manager's job just over two years ago, he was faced with an aging group of players, and an emphasis on youth was required.

Transformation was needed, and the process of replacing Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and the rest is well underway. It's looking positive.

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When England went behind against Slovenia, the tension inside Wembley was palpable. The doom days seemed to return, and fans would have been forgiven for thinking an upset was playing out before their eyes.

After thinking they had turned a corner, it seemed a case of taking one huge leap backwards.

Rooney wasn't having his 100th game spoiled, though, and within two minutes, he had not only won a penalty but had converted from 12 yards with aplomb.

Then Welbeck stepped up to score twice, his second an excellent piece of combination play between himself and Raheem Sterling on 72 minutes.

Within 15 minutes of going behind, England were out of sight. The three points were in the bag.

That it took an own goal to wake England up will be a concern for the manager, yet equally, the character his players showed in not only getting back into the game but finishing off the opposition should be applauded.

If England are ever going to earn the international acclaim that has followed them in the past, it's matches such as this that will go a long way in restoring their reputation among the global football community.

For too long they have flattered to deceive, yet now things are looking more encouraging.

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England are learning how to win games again, regardless of whether it's in ugly fashion or the style their fans crave.

Welbeck has five goals in Euro 2016 qualifying now—an excellent return for a player who, until this season, had been forced into playing a wide role for club and country.

Playing more centrally for Arsenal and England, he has the look of a player capable of scoring the goals to take England forward.

Daniel Sturridge has a fight on his hands if he is to win his starting place back.

When their team needed them, Rooney and Welbeck were on hand to deliver the goods on Saturday.

It will be a valid criticism of this England team that facing Slovenia proves nothing. Their biggest test in Group E—on paper at least—is Switzerland, a team they have already defeated away from home.

Bigger tests await, yet as Hodgson reflects on this qualification campaign, he should be relishing the opportunity it has given him.

The expectation is England will cruise to France 2016, something they're currently living up to. What we're seeing also is a team coming together. Young players like Jack Wilshere are finding their place on the international stage, learning their roles and knowing their position.

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Welbeck is delivering on the potential we have long known to be there, and his confidence is growing.

Are England world beaters? Far from it, yet they're building something here, and Welbeck's continued goalscoring form is as encouraging a sign they could wish for.

Rooney got his goal to mark his personal milestone at Wembley, but eventually, he had to play second fiddle to his teammate.

The captain knows it's not about headlines but substance—something England seem to be developing.