England 31 New Zealand 28
England held out against an epic fightback by New Zealand to beat the All Blacks for only the fifth time in their history at Twickenham today.
Tries from flanker Lewis Moody, fly-half Jonny Wilkinson, and winger Ben Cohen laid the foundations for the narrow win. Wilkinson's try and a total of 21 points - an English record against New Zealand - earned him the man of the match award.
But New Zealand could claim a moral victory as their experimental side came agonisingly close to snatching victory in the closing minutes after Jonah Lomu's second try of the match and a touchdown by Danny Lee on his debut had slashed England's 31-14 advantage back to just three points.
Only a brilliant last-ditch tackle from Cohen prevented All Blacks fullback Ben Blair from charging over the line for what would have been a match-winning score two minutes from time, after an electrifying break by winger Doug Howlett, who had earlier scored the second of New Zealand's four tries.
England had gone into the match as clear favourites to beat New Zealand for the first time since 1993, as well as for the first time under their coach Clive Woodward.
And they got off to a positive start when Wilkinson landed a 25-metre angled penalty for a 3-0 lead on five minutes.
With their vastly experienced England forwards quickly establishing their authority, Wilkinson kicked his second penalty to put the home side 6-0 up after ten minutes.
New Zealand hit back quickly however, stretching the England defence from set-piece play to give Lomu the chance to blast his way over the line out wide.
Jason Robinson and Mike Tindall were both wrapped round the huge winger as he dived over the line and Italian video referee Claudio Giacomel had to confirm that he had retained control of the ball.
Canterbury full-back Ben Blair kicked the touchline conversion to give New Zealand a one point advantage.
England responded with a sustained period of pressure which finally yielded a Wilkinson drop goal after 29 minutes.
But it was New Zealand who struck again, Umaga intercepting Richard Hill's pass before feeding Howlett, who sprinted away from England's fastest player Robinson to score under the posts.
Wilkinson's third penalty settled England's nerves two minutes before the break and the flyhalf then set up Moody just seconds before the interval with a weaving run through the All Blacks defence.
Somehow he managed to deliver a pass out of the tackle and Moody dived over for his fourth Test try.
Wilkinson could not add the conversion but England had secured a 17-14 interval lead and the inspirational flyhalf ensured they quickly added to their advantage.
Making the most of a flat New Zealand defensive line, he fashioned an improvised chip over the top and sprinted through to gather it and touch down under the posts.
Within two minutes Cohen had sprinted clear to score and with Wilkinson converting both tries, England looked like they were running away with the match.
But the All Blacks suddenly found another gear and Lomu's second try - his eighth in seven appearances against England - had shades of his celebrated romp through the English backline in the 1995 World Cup semi-final.
Lee marked his first appearance in the famous Black shirt by scrambling over in the 70th minute to set up a grandstand finish.
But thanks in large part to Cohen's well-timed tackle, England were able to weather the storm.