By Phil McNulty Chief football writer

Rooney has a golden future England surge past Turkey

Sven-Goran Eriksson cast aside his natural caution to gamble with England's Euro 2004 ambitions - and hit the jackpot.

And Eriksson's winning card came in the shape of the phenomenal 17-year-old Wayne Rooney.

Liverpool's Emile Heskey was the loser as Eriksson gave the nation what they wanted by playing the new golden boy of English football.

Academy: Rooney's road to stardom

But Rooney's performance and an excellent England victory justified Eriksson's bold move.

The Swede's poker-faced insistence that it would be unfair to plunge Rooney into action against Turkey hid his true intentions to unleash Everton's prodigy at The Stadium of Light.

And it was a fitting setting as Rooney illuminated the evening with a performance of power, poise and maturity which drew extravagant praise from experienced observers.

England player ratings

Rooney may not have scored the goal the script demanded and may have tired in the second half - but he was the catalyst that changed the game in England's favour.

England needed a spark after a nervous opening half hour that saw Turkey dominate possession, and Rooney provided it.

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The mood of the match changed in the time it took Rooney to indulge in an extravagant display of ball juggling before delivering a pinpoint 50-yard ball to Steven Gerrard.

And England were firmly in the ascendancy after he capped a brilliant run with a pass of rare vision that almost created the opening goal for Michael Owen.

It established the platform for England's second-half domination and ushered in a talent that will grace the side for years to come.

Rooney has a fearless physical presence that belies his tender years - with Everton, England and Eriksson the beneficiaries.

England's win in pictures

He took to the international stage with the same nerveless and cold-eyed composure that has marked his performances at Everton this season.

And Eriksson appeared to be inking Rooney's name indelibly into England's plans when he announced: "I can't see any reason why I should leave him out if he plays like that."

It sounds a sombre note for the axed Heskey - but delivers the mouth-watering prospect of an outstanding made-on-Merseyside partnership of Rooney and Michael Owen shaping England's future.

Rooney should not be alone in claiming the plaudits after an England display that answered many of the questions posed of Eriksson's side.

Liverpool's Steven Gerrard drove England forward in an exciting second half, while Sol Campbell was a rock at the back.

And even the enigmatic goalkeeper David James can snatch his share of the credit with an astonishing late save from Nihat Kahveci.

But the spotlight must shine on Rooney after a night when a truly exceptional England talent officially announced his arrival on the world stage.