91Èȱ¬

England manager Roy Hodgson said Jack Wilshere had lived up to high expectations with his man-of-the-match performance in the win against Brazil.

Arsenal's 21-year-old was outstanding in England's 2-1 victory on only his seventh international appearance.

Hodgson said: "I tried to protect him a little from the media in the build-up but he doesn't need it.

"It looks like you can crank the expectations up as much as you like and he's quite comfortable with it."

Wilshere's England career has been hampered by injury, with the midfielder missing Euro 2012 during a spell of 15 months on the sidelines with an ankle injury.

England captain Steven Gerrard said before the match Wilshere has the "potential to become one of the best in the world".

And he was impressive against Brazil as he started alongside Gerrard for the first time.

Hodgson added: "As long as he is comfortable with the expectations, why should I worry?

"To be frank, if Jack Wilshere keeps up that level of performance he will soon justify all the expectations. He was very, very good as was Theo Walcott, who terrorised the left side of their defence."

England had not beaten Brazil since 1990 but were bright, Wayne Rooney giving them the lead after Joe Hart had saved Ronaldinho's penalty.

Fred equalised for Brazil before substitute Frank Lampard's 27th goal for his country secured the win on the hour.

Hodgson is clearly keeping a close eye on Lampard's future as speculation mounts that he will leave Chelsea at the end of the season.

The 34-year-old has been linked with LA Galaxy but Hodgson said: "It is not for me to discuss his career with his current club but I know he's going to have a lot of offers if Chelsea do decide to let him go and I would rather hope we will see him, if not in England, then in Europe because that will make my task a lot easier.

"If he does follow David Beckham and go further afield it complicates matters but it doesn't necessarily mean your England career is at an end when you don't play in England or another European country."

Hodgson was delighted with England's display to record only their fourth win against Brazil.

He added: "I am very pleased with the way the players went about their business. I don't think we stole anything.

"Apart from a somewhat mad spell at the start of the second half when we conceded the equaliser by running the ball out from the back and then a bad backpass and a kick out gave them a second opportunity, I thought we dealt with the questions Brazil asked and posed plenty of our own."