Fabio Capello, the Three Lions coach, had included several young players in his squad but they mostly had to settle for the substitutes bench as he gave the players who disappointed in South Africa the opportunity to redeem themselves.
That meant Bobby Zamora was limited to a place on the bench. Gerrard, continuing as stand-in captain played behind Wayne Rooney up front. Phil Jagielka partnered John Terry in the centre of defence.
The first-half performance was much improved from some of the displays at the World Cup, although the Three Lions created few chances.
The best opportunity was a free-kick from Gerrard that was palmed away by Gabor Kiraly, the Hungary keeper. Half-time saw several changes from Capello, with Ashley Cole, John Terry, Frank Lampard and Theo Walcott replaced.
That allowed Zamora, Michael Dawson and Kieran Gibbs on to make their senior debuts, with Ashley Young also coming on. Dawson's senior international career started badly though, as his failure to deal with a long-ball from Kiraly leaving Zoltan Gera through.
Gera's cross was deflected off Jagielka, and despite Dawson's attempts to clear the ball off the line the goal was given.
The goal shocked England, providing a necessary wake-up call. Gerrard equalised with a long-distance piledriver that left Kiraly with no chance.
From then on it was all England, with Zamora going close with a long-range effort shortly afterwards - although he had appeared to control the ball using a hand.
Gerrard scored the winning goal four minutes after his first, when he collected Young's pass inside the area, turned his marker and finished neatly.
He was given a standing ovation as he left the pitch with eight minutes to go, replaced the the Arsenal teenager Jack Wilshire.
