Members of France's football team leave their hotel on a bus, near Wembley stadium in north London, November 16, 2015.  [Photo/Agencies]

OUTSTANDING ALLI

England midfielder Alli, 19, blasted the ball past his Tottenham Hotspur club goalkeeper Lloris into the top corner for his first international goal after 39 minutes.

"He was almost faultless, he was outstanding," Hodgson said of Alli, who was winning his fourth cap on his first start."

Rooney, playing in what is becoming a more usual deep-lying role, doubled England's lead in the 48th minute after Alli, who started the move, found Raheem Sterling who crossed for Rooney to volley home his 51st international goal.

England striker Harry Kane twice went close to scoring, including a searing long-range drive in the second half which flew just wide.

England, who played poorly in a 2-0 friendly defeat away to Spain on Friday, had not beaten France in six meetings since 1997, but the visitors never made it easy for the home side on what was obviously a difficult evening for their players.

The visitors' best chance fell to midfielder Yohan Cabaye of Crystal Palace, one of 13 players in the 23-man France squad who are playing, or have played, their club football in England. His seventh minute shot flew just over Joe Hart's crossbar.