By Tony Leighton

Smith's second-half penalty earned a deserved win for England

Everton midfielder Fara Williams and Arsenal striker Kelly Smith were on target as England deservedly beat the Women's World Cup semi-finalists.

After a 2-0 defeat by Sweden in the first of their mini-tournament matches in Cyprus, England made better use of their possession and might have won by a wider margin.

National coach Hope Powell said: "We were diligent, we worked really hard and it was a very good collective performance by the girls.

"We've beaten a world class team, and although I wouldn't say we outplayed them I felt we were worthy winners of an excellent game and a very tough test for us."

England out-passed the Norwegians for long periods and should have been ahead long before Williams' 47th-minute opener.

Smith volleyed wide from six yards after just four minutes, then her Arsenal colleagues Karen Carney and Lianne Sanderson both fluffed much easier chances.

The vital thing about this trip was the preparation it gave us for the qualifiers coming up England coach Hope Powell

At the other end Chelsea goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain had to make a good 23rd-minute save from striker Solveig Gulbrandsen.

But seven minutes later right winger Carney missed a free header, and seconds before the break striker Sanderson shot straight at keeper Christine Nilsen from four yards.

Williams finally broke the deadlock with a near post header from a looping cross by Arsenal left winger Rachel Yankey.

Against the run of play midfielder Ingvild Stensland equalised with a 30-yard lob in the 53rd minute.

But 11 minutes later a Smith penalty restored England's lead after Carney had been brought down by Nilsen.

The keeper, who was lucky to escape even a caution for her offence, made partial amends with superb saves from Yankey and Smith as England looked for a killer goal.

But two proved enough and now, with Sweden and Norway set to meet in the last game of the mini-tournament, Powell's team are certain to finish at least in second place.

More importantly, the matches against sides ranked in the world's top five have given England - ranked 10th - an important boost ahead of Euro 2009 qualifiers in March.

Powell said: "The absolutely vital thing about this trip was the preparation it gave us for the qualifiers coming up - now we have to take this form into those games."

Powell's team, who top their qualifying group with maximum points, head back into Euro action with games against Northern Ireland and the Czech Republic.

Norway (4-3-3): Nilsen; Nordby, Vikestad, Horpestad, Folstad; Knutsen, Stensland, Storlokken; Lie, Gulbrandsen, Wiik.
Substitutes not used: Hjelmseth, Herlovsen, Giske, Lindblom.

England (4-2-1-3): Chamberlain (sub Hawke 73); A. Scott, White, Phillip, Stoney; Asante, Williams; K. Smith; Carney, Sanderson (sub Aluko 73), Yankey.
Substitutes not used: J. Scott, Bassett, Johnson, Unitt, Westwood, Handley, S. Smith.

Referee Ms Sophia Karagiorgi (Cyprus)