England 3 Germany 2

FORMER footballers, celebrities and fans turned out to honour Sir Bobby Robson, but it was a Newcastle United hero of a more recent vintage who secured victory for England.

Alan Shearer scored from the penalty spot to clinch a 3- 2 victory in the Sir Bobby Robson Trophy.

Shearer, who looked sharp throughout, picked himself up to blast the winner after being brought down by German defender Jens Nowotny.

The goal completed an impressive fightback by the allstar England side, who were two goals down after 17 minutes, with a professional-looking German line up having started the brighter.

Thomas Helmer netted the opening goal on four minutes, slotting the ball under England goalkeeper Peter Shilton after an intricate echange of passes opened up the defence.

When Fredi Bobic made it two on 17 minutes with an easy finish, it looked as if someone had forgotten to give the visitors the script.

Fans started a Mexican wave and a streaker took to the field – the game continuing around him, leaving Paul Gascoigne having to kick his abandoned underwear towards the touchline.

After a short lull, England, managed by Howard Wilkinson, finally seemed to come alive, with Shearer and fellow former Newcastle United stars Les Ferdinand and Peter Beardsley looking capable of creating an opening.

It was Ferdinand who reduced the arrears when, on 27 minutes, he headed in from just outside the six-yard box.

Shearer was a constant threat to the German defence and when he was brought down on the edge of the penalty area on the half-hour, Alan Thompson, another former Magpie, curled a left-footed effort high into the German net from the subsequent free kick.

With the scores level, the match was a contest again, with Gascoigne regularly probing until he was replaced by Steve Hodge.

Leeds United manager Simon Grayson, who had come on as a substitute at right back, also had an effort saved by the German keeper.

In the second-half singer Craig David was the first celebrity to take to the field, replacing Beardsley after 68 minutes, and later stars included Paddy McGuinness and Angus Deayton.

Late on, Shearer had a low effort tipped round the post.

But he was not to be denied.

With 11 minutes left he made progress down England’s right channel before being brought down inside the area.

The legendary former number nine confidently scored from the spot kick, firing high into the net.

England then endured a nervous last few minutes as the Germans poured forward in search of an equaliser, but they held on, allowing Gascoigne and Beardsley to joyously lift the Sir Bobby Robson Trophy aloft on the pitch afterwards.