England coach Roy Hodgson was delighted with matchwinner Wayne Rooney after victory over Ukraine.

Rooney nodded home the only goal against co-hosts Ukraine in Donetsk three minutes after the break on Monday night.

The Manchester United forward, back after completing his two-game suspension, had earlier missed a golden opportunity but did not let that affect him and has now scored 29 goals for England - just one behind Nat Lofthouse, Tom Finney and Alan Shearer, who are joint fifth on the all-time list.

"He's got character, hasn't he?" Hodgson said of his talisman.

"Those who have followed England and Manchester United, even Everton, you know what Rooney is, what he can do and his qualities.

"He showed them in abundance tonight. He and (Danny) Welbeck worked extremely hard."