.BERN: Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe turned 'Golden Boy'' for England this morning as his late winner kept the nation on an Olympics high with a 2-1 win over Italy in a friendly.

Defoe fired in a stunner in the 8th minute to gain some revenge for the Euro 2012 penalty shootout defeat by the Italians.

Defoe, born within a mile of the Olympics Stadium, told The Sun: “I would like to dedicate that goal to my cousin, who died in St Lucia last month. It would have been her birthday today.”

Hannah Defoe, 20, was electrocuted as she dived into a hotel swimming pool last month.

Defoe, 29, was also forced to fly home from England’s Euro 2012 camp in Poland after the death of his 49-year-old father Jimmy from cancer.

The striker’s half-brother Jade, 26, also died in 2009 after falling into a coma following a street attack in east London.

 “The main thing was to get a win," said Defoe.

“Even if you speak to the lads with more caps than me, every time you play you feel like you want to prove something. For a striker it is always important to score.”

Head coach Boss Roy Hodgson said: efoe’s goal was spectacular and a great way to win the game.

“He does it regularly for Tottenham and it was nice to see him doing it this time for England.It was a worthwhile game because it gave us a chance to see so many new players," said Hodgson.

“It was great to be able to give some of the senior players a rest and to be able to blood some new players. They answered the challenge in the best possible way.”

Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley impressed on his international debut and Hodgson said: “We know Tom is a great player.

“He has been playing well for Team GB and it was great for him to make his England debut.”

Cleverley said it was a proud moment for him - a big occasion in any footballer's life.

“I managed to get on the ball and hopefully I impressed the manager,” he said.

Birmingham’s Jack Butland started the game and became the youngest-ever England goalkeeper at 19 years and 158 days.

That broke the long-standing record of Billy Moon, who played against Wales in 1888 aged 19 years and 222 days.


- mD