Sweden 2 England 3 (THE SUN)

ALL'S WEL THAT ENDS WEL ... Danny Welbeck celebrates his winner with strike partner Andy Carroll

Published: 15 minutes ago

DANNY WELBECK’S delicate flick saved the day as England dragged themselves from the mire to seal a dramatic victory over Sweden in Kiev.

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Andy Carroll had given Roy Hodgson’s boys a dream start with a bullet header from Steven Gerrard’s sumptuous cross.

But the dream soon turned into a nightmare after half-time as Olof Mellberg’s double put the Swedes 2-1 up before the hour.

Hodgson brought on Theo Walcott and the Arsenal ace made a stunning impact, levelling the scores with a long-range strike.

The pacey winger then set up the winner as he crossed in for Welbeck who somehow managed to find the net with a clever flick despite facing away from goal.

It was a huge result for the Three Lions and puts them level on points with France on top of Group D ahead of the final group game against hosts Ukraine on Tuesday.

HEAD BOY ... Andy Carroll leaps to head England into the lead

The inclusion of Carroll at Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s expense came as no surprise as Hodgson looked to expose Sweden’s frailties in the air.

Out of their last nine goals conceded by the Scandinavians, an incredible EIGHThad been from headers.

The game began at a quick tempo with both teams making the pitch narrow.

CARROLL SMILEY ... Andy Carroll slides on his knees to celebrate his goal

Scott Parker stung Andreas Isaksson’s fingertips early on with an unexpected blast from distance.

Welbeck then had a good chance to give England the lead as Carroll found James Milner out wide who sent in a pinpoint centre but the Manchester United striker could only flick wide.

Hodgson had earmarked Zlatan Ibrahimovic as Sweden’s dangerman and the AC Milan forward did nOt disappoint with some clever touches and smart play.

TAKE ZLAT ... Scott Parker challenges Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Joe Hart had to be on his toes as Ibrahimovic let fly from distance with the Manchester City keeper making a sound stop.

Gerrard has been growing into the deeper role that Hodgson has given him and he was England’s best player in the first half.

The Liverpool skipper was at the heart of all that was good for the Three Lions and it was quick thinking that helped break the deadlock.

MELL HELL ... Olof Mellberg shoots for Sweden's first goal

His exquisite cross from deep was met by Carroll who powered a thumping header in with 23 minutes played.

The Sweden crowd did their best to gee up their team as they booed every England touch while Ibrahimovic continued to fire shots in from distance.

Ashley Young then spurned a decent chance as a poor touch took him away from goal when he was in behind the Swedish defence and he dragged his shot wide.

JOHNNO GONNO ... Mellberg's strike deflects in off Glen Johnson

Things were looking rosy for England as they walked off for half-time but it was a very different story in the first 15 minutes of the second half.

Sweden were back on level terms four minutes after the interval as Ibrahimovic’s shot was picked up by Mellberg, whose scrambled effort was palmed away by Hart before it deflected off Johnson, onto the post and in.

It was a nightmare start to the second period but things were a whole lot worse after 59 minutes as Mellberg doubled Sweden’s lead with the simplest of headers.

SWEDE DREAMS ... Olof Mellberg is mobbed by team-mates after Sweden's first goal

Sebastian Larsson whipped in a free-kick to the back post where Mellberg exploited some non-existent marking to head into the far corner.

Hodgson responded by hauling off the ineffective Milner for Walcott and the change paid instant dividends.

Isaksson thought the danger was over when his super save turned John Terry’s point-blank header out for a corner.

OLOF WITH HIS HEAD ... Sweden's Olof Mellberg powers home Sweden's second goal

But from the resulting set piece, the ball found its way out to Walcott who fired in a looping effort to level the scores once again.

HAVING OLOF ... Mellberg celebrates as he puts Sweden ahead

Sweden had chances to retake the lead as Kim Kallstrom blasted over before Hart denied Ibrahimovic’s fizzing drive.

WONDER WAL ... Theo Walcott strikes past Seb Larsson to bring England level

But it was England who got the all-important fifth goal as Walcott ran down the right side of the box and squared from Welbeck who finished with a delightful flick into the corner with his back to goal.

ALL IS WAL ... Theo Walcott looks bemused after scoring England's second goal

It was an incredible turnaround but a strike worthy of winning any game.

It could have been 4-2 as Walcott broke away in injury time, but Gerrard could only fire the winger’s cross against Isaksson who saved well.

But it was no matter as Welbeck’s sweet finish proved enough to seal the points as Hodgson’s men breathed a huge sigh of relief.

FLICKIN' KIEV ... Danny Welbeck flicks in England's winner

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