England surged into the play-offs for next year's UEFA Under-21 Championship with goals from James Milner and Gabriel Agbonlahor.

Milner converted a 44th-minute penalty won by Fabrice Muamba to give Stuart Pearce's side, playing their first competitive fixture at Wembley, the edge at half time.

And Milner's Aston Villa team-mate Agbonlahor showed his trademark pace to fire the second in a victory that ensures England finish convincing winners of Group Three.

Agbonlahor had been struggling with a stomach bug but was passed fit and took a more prominent role due to Theo Walcott's absence with the senior squad.

The 21-year-old, named man of the match, was substituted in the 76th minute after having subjected Portugal's defence to a torrid evening marred by torrential rain.

Pearce will have been satisfied by an encouraging display that saw England overcome a nervous start to stamp their authority on the out-fought Portuguese.

But their early frailty was exposed as soon as the fifth minute when Miguel Veloso whipped in a corner for Adelino Freitas.

Joe Hart scrambled across is line to avert the danger and showed great hand speed to palm the ball to safety at the last possible moment.

Agbonlahor went down a little too easily as England launched their first meaningful attack but referee Gianluca Rocchi was not fooled by the dive.

The Villa forward made amends with a dashing run past Vasco Fernandes but there was no on the end of his final ball.

Portugal, who were keeping far better possession of the ball, remained in control as Gama pulled a shot wide and then missed narrowly after racing clear.

Chelsea defender Michael Mancienne almost nodded England ahead via a Fabrice Muamba free kick but his header was just wide.

The effort preceded a period of English domination as Agbonlahor showed speed and strength to create a chance for Adam Johnson, who was denied by the fingertips of keeper Rui Patricio.

Clearly rattled, Portugal's defence began creaking with James Milner darting his way through traffic before expertly squaring only for a lack of support to undermine his flash of brilliance.

But Milner's disappointment was soon eased as he fired England ahead from the spot.

Paulo Machado could have some justification for complaining that his penalty for clattering into Muamba was harsh but Milner made no mistake as he rifled home in the 44th minute.

Milner broke into space early in the second half and tried his luck from long range but this time Patricio was able to keep him out.

Patricio's workload continued to grow as he stopped a Tom Huddlestone free-kick that was headed for the bottom left.

Mancienne was proving a menace at corners and after another effort went wide he was pressed into action at his own end to disrupt Freitas' who had slipped free.

England's early woes became a distant memory as Agbonlahor fired Pearce's team further ahead.

Mark Noble sent Agbonlahor sprinting into space and, capitalising on poor positioning from Portugal's centre-backs, he slotted the ball beneath Patricio.

Substitute Fraizer Campbell replaced Agbonlahor and the Manchester United forward, currently on loan at Tottenham, set off a dazzling run that ended with a fine save by Patricio.

Portugal enjoyed a late flurry but Hart, operating in slippery conditions, dealt with a pair of long-range efforts.

Teams

England U21 Hart, Cranie, Steven Taylor, Mancienne,Andrew Taylor, Huddlestone, Muamba (Cattermole 56), Noble,Milner, Adam Johnson (Kightly 86), Agbonlahor (Campbell 76).

Subs Not Used: Heaton, O'Hara, Stearman, Lennon.

Booked: Muamba, Andrew Taylor, Cattermole.

Goals: Milner 44 pen, Agbonlahor 63.

Portugal U21 Rui Patricio, Bruno Pereirinha, Vasco Fernandes,Nuno Andre, Goncalo Brandao, Fernandes, Veloso,Paulo Machado (Stelvio Cruz 71), Vieirinha (Candeias 59),Vaz Te, Bruno Gama (Joao Moreira 46).

Subs Not Used: Ricardo Batista, Helder Barbosa, Miguel Lopes,

Daniel Carrico.

Booked: Paulo Machado.

Att: 20,000

Ref: Gianluca Rocchi (Italy).