Ashley Young's strike ten minutes from half-time settled this Group G clash at Wembley as England got one over on Gary Speed's Wales.
Fabio Capello's table-toppers dominated things territorially after a bright opening from the visitors but chances were at a premium before Young struck his third international goal 77,000-strong crowd.
The Manchester United star converted a centre from danger man Stewart Downing to give England their first Wembley win in 12 months.
England failed to defend a free-kick and with an open goal five yards out the Cardiff City striker, much to Speed's bemusement, somehow blazed his effort over with Joe Hart beaten.
Young told ITV1: "We wanted to get the three points to boost our chances of getting top of the group and we've done that.
"The performance wasn't great but you go out to win the game and that's what we've done.
"We knew Wales were going to come out and play with a bit more flair (after the break), which they did, and put us under pressure. I'm not too sure what it was in the second half, we just couldn't get going."
The Three Lions' performance was far from convincing, not for the first time, but they have won and those three points now mean a draw in Montenegro next month will secure qualification for Euro 2012.