FIVE-YEAR-OLD Bradley Lowery, whose battle with a rare cancer has touched the football world, was England's chief mascot on an already emotive evening at Wembley.
Bradley, from Blackhall, County Durham, accompanied "best mate" Jermain Defoe on to the field for their World Cup qualifying match against Lithuania, the veteran striker having struck up a strong bond with the youngster in recent months.
England captain for the match, goalkeeper Joe Hart, stepped aside to allow Sunderland striker Defoe to lead Bradley onto the field.
The youngster, who continues to battle neuroblastoma, covered his ears as the crowd cheered him onto the pitch.
Defoe returned to the England team for the first time since November 2013 as Gareth Southgate made four changes to his team.
The Sunderland striker has scored 14 Premier League goals this season despite the Black Cats' plight and replaced Jamie Vardy, who started the 1-0 defeat in Germany.
And Defoe made the perfect start to the match, scoring the opening goal for England just after the 20 minute mark.
Meanwhile, Wembley paid an emotional tribute to victims of the Westminster terror attack ahead of the match.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, the Metropolitan Police's acting commissioner Craig Mackey and Karen Bradley, secretary of state for culture, media and sport, joined Football Association chairman Greg Clarke in laying memorial wreaths for those affected by Wednesday's assault, which left four dead and more than 50 injured.
The sold-out national stadium observed a period of silence before kick-off, while both teams wore black armbands and the Wembley arch was lit up in red and white.
Increased security patrols across the capital included some armed patrols in the vicinity of Wembley, with explosive-seeking sniffer dogs in evidence on Wembley Way.
The matchday programme contained no mention of events at Westminster, having gone to print before events unfolded, but did contain warm recognition for former England manager Graham Taylor, who died earlier this year aged 72.
In his notes, Clarke wrote: "On 12 January this year, we lost one of English football's most respected and revered coaches - Graham Taylor.
"Although several weeks have gone by since Graham's passing, I wanted to start these notes by paying tribute on behalf of The FA.
"This is the first England home match since we heard the sad news and it is absolutely right we remember him tonight.
"He had the honour of managing England for 38 games, and enjoyed a remarkable club career with Lincoln City, Watford, Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
"Our game is poorer without the man and the manager. My thoughts remain with his wife Rita and his family."
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