By Phil McNulty Chief football writer at Wembley

Terry had some cause to be pleased with his return as England captain

But it was clear that getting back to business with England was the best medicine for Terry after the trauma of missing the penalty that would have won his beloved Chelsea the Champions League against Manchester United.

And he deserved every moment of his celebration when he found himself lurking near the penalty spot once more to head England's opening goal in a deserved 2-0 win against a pedestrian United States side.

Terry's character could never be questioned. How could it when he had the bravery to step forward to take that ultimately ill-fated spot-kick?

He knows Moscow will be a cloud over his career, possibly forever, but there was real pleasure and respect from the Wembley crowd and his team-mates when he scored.

Terry showed he is a strong man who will be back in Chelsea colours at the start of next season, with his eyes fixed on the big prizes once again.

England did not dazzle against the USA - but Capello should be quietly satisfied

This was not champagne football, in fact for long periods it was deadly dull, but it was the sort of performance that gives a pragmatic coach like Capello much to be pleased about.

England scored two good goals. England created chances. England kept a clean sheet. England passed the ball well. England won.

All Capello's boxes were ticked.

He was not looking for Brazil 1970. He was looking for signs that his training ground work was being put into practice, and without bringing the house down England gave their Italian coach what he wanted.

The visitors were mediocrity personified, but Capello did not care about that as he praised England's display in the bowels of Wembley.

Steven Gerrard was outstanding in a left-flank role, proving once again that he has the versatility and ability to cope with any of the midfield positions, while Owen Hargreaves did the dirty work he relishes.

Wayne Rooney showed flashes without being at his best, although he still has major question marks over his temperament.

In a meaningless friendly, he was guilty of wild challenges and also fired a verbal volley in the direction of Greek referee Kyros Vassaras that hit its target with greater accuracy than some of his passing.

606: DEBATE Give your thoughts on the match

England's passing and determination to keep the ball was a stand-out factor in the display, irrespective of the fact that they were not placed under great duress by Bob Bradley's side.

There was an intriguing sub-plot in the appearance of Aston Villa's Gareth Barry and his instant creation of a goal for Gerrard.

Will this be repeated for Liverpool next season?

Of more interest to Capello was the excellent cameo performance from Villa's much-prized captain after he emerged as a second-half substitute.

He is now a genuine rival to Frank Lampard for a central midfield position, with the Chelsea star understandably subdued after recent events in his life on and off the pitch with the death of his mother and the loss of the Champions League final.

Capello is clearly a fan of Barry and that is an intriguing future selection dilemma for the coach.

He will now round off phase one of his England reign with Sunday's friendly against Trinidad and Tobago and the clash with the Czech Republic at Wembley in August, before the start of the World Cup qualifying campaign against Andorra.

And he will do it heartened by a display that, while not getting supporters off their seats at regular intervals, will have offered him indications that his work in progress is starting to show signs of putting down firm foundations.