Richards shines in England U21s win

Richards: Scores equaliser

The Manchester City defender was solid in defence, a constant menace from set-pieces and produced the kind of mature performance which will not see him kept out of Fabio Capello's plans for too long.

Richards equalised after Etien Velikonja had given Slovenia a surprise lead, before a second strike from Newcastle's James Milner saw Stuart Pearce's side to a comfortable victory.

Former Manchester City boss Pearce included Eastlands trio Richards, Nedum Onuoha and Michael Johnson in his starting line-up.

Peterborough goalkeeper Joe Lewis won his second cap while there were places for Tottenham pair Tom Huddlestone and Aaron Lennon.

Milner, who is the most experienced player in Pearce's squad at this level with 36 caps, captained the side in the absence of Newcastle team-mate Steven Taylor - who had withdrawn with an ankle injury.

Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor, who hit a hat-trick against City at the weekend, began on the bench while Blackburn's Matt Derbyshire started in attack.

England enjoyed the majority of the possession in a relatively low-key start to the match at Hull's KC Stadium, but it was Slovenia who broke the deadlock in the 11th minute when midfielder Uros Korun split the defence with a neat through-ball to release Velikonja.

The winger raced through and calmly dispatched a low shot past Lewis into the left-corner of the net from just inside the box.

England almost equalised three minutes later when Huddlestone curled a dangerous free-kick from the right flank into the penalty area.

Richards lost his marker and directed a powerful header at goal which completely beat goalkeeper Matjaz Rozman but rebounded back out off the post.

It was a sign of things to come and England equalised when Huddlestone delivered a lofted free-kick into the box in the 25th minute and Rozman flapped as Richards challenged for the ball.

The ball fell loose and the City defender was left with a simple tap into an empty net from six yards out.

Milner then put England ahead 10 minutes later after neat build-up play down the right flank with Lennon.

The midfielder received the ball from Lennon with his back to goal on the edge of the area before he spun and directed a low shot into the bottom-right corner of the net.

The home side were now firmly on top and the energetic Richards almost grabbed a second in the 37th minute - but saw his header from a Mark Noble cross parried by Rozman.

Pearce replaced Milner with Wolves winger Michael Kightly at the start of the second half with West Ham's Noble taking the captain's armband.

Manchester United goalkeeper Tom Heaton was also introduced at the break for Lewis to also claim his second cap in England colours.

Lennon almost scored five minutes after half-time when he audaciously curled the ball over Rozman from the right edge of the area but the Slovenian goalkeeper was able to recover and palm the ball to safety.

The biggest cheer of the night from the 9,733 crowd though was reserved for the introduction of Fraizer Campbell in the 61st minute - who replaced Johnson - while Huddlestone was taken off for Fabrice Muamba.

The Manchester United striker, whose goals helped fire Hull into the Barclays Premier League, almost made an immediate impact when he seemed to be fouled inside the penalty area chasing an overhit through-ball but the referee waved away the appeals.

England's task was made somewhat easier after Slovenia were reduced to 10 men when the impressive Nejc Pecnik was shown a second yellow card for dissent in the 63rd minute.

Richards left to a standing ovation in the 73rd minute when he was replaced by Martin Cranie while Lennon was also withdrawn for Adam Johnson.

A subdued Derbyshire tested Rozman three minutes later, then Campbell found space inside the area but hit his 80th-minute shot straight at Rozman.

Pearce continued to make changes and with seven minutes remaining brought on Middlesbrough's David Wheater for Onuoha.

Kightly then struck the bar in the 86th minute with a brilliant strike as England cruised through to the final whistle.