Evening all. So, after a lot of talking, England's biggest match since the Euro 2012 quarter-final against Italy has arrived. Three points this evening would quite honestly be massive - for both nations.

Right then, before we get into why this fixture is as big as it is, the team news from Podgorica has just started to filter through. Let's start with who has made the cut for England...

ENGLAND XI: Hart; Johnson, Lescott, Smalling, Cole; Carrick, Gerrard, Cleverly, Milner; Rooney; Welbeck

So, it is the England starting lineup that many people had predicted in the hours leading up this match. Glen Johnson has shaken off a toe injury, while Steven Gerrard, Danny Welbeck, Michael Carrick and James Milner have also been recalled. Roy Hodgson has also stuck with the centre-back pairing of Joleon Lescott and Chris Smalling.

Looking at that selection, it also looks likely that Wayne Rooney will play in a more reserved position, with Welbeck being asked to operate as a lone striker. When Welbeck plays for England, it allows Rooney to take on a free role. He can go left, right or down the middle and always seems to be happier doing that.

And here is how England's hosts will begin the fixture...

MONTENEGRO XI: M Bozovic; Basa, V Bozovic, Savic, Dzudovic; Volkov, Vukcevic, Zverotic, Novakovic; Jovetic, Vucinic

The eye is immediately drawn to the centre-forwards in that Montenegro lineup. Both Mirko Vucinic and Stevan Jovetic, with Juventus and Fiorentina respectively, have been in impressive form in Serie A this season. Miodrag Dxudovic, the man largely famous for being booted up the backside by Rooney when these two sides last met in this stadium, also starts.

While it may have got feisty on the pitch last time, it seems as though things are hotting up in the crowd at the moment. Here is The Mirror journalist Ollie Holt on Twitter:

"Montenegro fans fighting among themselves in upper tier behind the goal. Atmosphere hotting up at the City Stadium."

Right, we're going to have to discuss the infamous Rooney and Dxudovic incident aren't we? I'm sure everybody can picture it now - the Manchester United striker aiming his boot in the direction of the Montenegro defender's rear end. It was so needless and he was eventually punished with a two-game ban that saw him miss part of Euro 2012. Hodgson will be hoping he has since learnt his lesson and to be fair, his recent disciplinary record suggests that he has.

Rooney's teammate, Joleon Lescott, is also expecting the talisman to keep his cool:

"They might play on his temperament but Wayne has matured now. He is older and more experienced and I'm sure he will be professional," he told reporters.

"There will be a lot of expectation on Wayne but I don't think he will let that faze him in any way. I don't think he will be drawing on any negativity from previous performances, he will just be focused on producing the goods."

Staying with Lescott, it would be fair to say that not many people expected him to feature today. However, the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Gary Cahill and Michael Dawson have all dropped out. Someone who sees the Manchester City defender's inclusion as a weakness is Montenegro striker Vucinic:

"I certainly do see that as a source of weakness because, if they do not play for their own clubs, I don’t see why their national coach should pick them for the team."

What's the betting that he is on the receiving end of a crunching tackle from Lescott in the opening few minutes?!

Right then, with a little while to go until we get started, let's look back over the dramatic last meeting between these nations. If we have a similar game tonight, we'll be in for a cracker:

There is a intimidating atmosphere building up inside the City Stadium. The home crowd are chanting loudly and even jeered Rooney's name when it was called out over the tannoy. We've also seen clips of that fighting that Holt was on about earlier. It's by no means pleasant and there really is no place for that inside a football ground. The Montenegro faithful also have previous where that is concerned - let's hope that we see no more this evening.

England coach Gary Neville had a closer look at Montenegro on Friday when they defeated Moldova. Asked by ITV Sport what are their most dangerous areas of the pitch, the former Man United full-back responded:

"You would have to say the front two. They are intelligent. They can both play as forwards, but they can also play as midfielders."

It seems as though that most people are tipping the strikers to cause their England counterparts problems tonight.

However, Hodgson is confident that is much-changed rearguard is capable of dealing with the threat of Vucinic and Jovetic. Here is what he had to say during yesterday's press conference:

"I just remind people that Joleon Lescott helped Manchester City to their first title in 40-odd years, and in Chris Smalling we have someone who's playing regularly for the champions-elect. It's not as if we've been forced to pick people who don't play at the highest level and I personally trust the pair of them."

Here's a statistic that should give England supporters hopes of their team collecting a positive result tonight courtesy of the chaps from Opta: "1 - England have suffered just one defeat in their last 23 international qualifiers (W17 D5), this coming vs Ukraine in Oct 2009."

It really is getting rather loud inside the City Stadium. There are several drums being beaten and the music that is blaring out over the tannoy system can barely be heard. These England players have played all over the world, but they won't have experienced many atmospheres as intense as this. There is certainly nothing like this in the Premier League!

Right, the players are in the tunnel. Steven Gerrard and Joe Hart in particular are looking extremely focused. They'll be able to hear the noise that is waiting for them outside. Although no-one is showing it, there must be some nerves among them.

That is something I don't think I've ever seen before. Every single England player sung the national anthem! Even Rooney, who has been criticised in the past for not joining in. Fair play! The Montenegro anthem is now in full flow. Once that is done, we shall be off and running.

Here we go - England, kicking from right to left, get this extremely important World Cup qualifier started. Game on!

OFF THE POST! Rooney was just inches away from scoring one of cleverest goals of his career to date. He bursts down the right and having seen Bozovic off his line, he decides to chip goalwards from 30 yards out. The effort beats the Montenegro goalkeeper, but clips the outside of the post. So, so close from the Man United striker. That would have been the best way to rid himself of any Podgorica demons.

Two years ago Rooney left this ground in disgrace but right now he has broad smile across his chops. Glen Johnson's shot from distance is tipped over by Bozovic and from the resultant corner, an unmarked Rooney heads in from close range. That's five goals in his last five internationals. It's been a great start from the Three Lions.

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England really have come out of the traps like a greyhound this evening. They are getting in the faces of the Montenegro players when they have the ball and are forcing them to make mistakes. Hodgson will be keen for them to add another goal during this period where they are on top.

The fast-paced start from England has actually forced Montenegro into making an early tactical change. For some reason Vucinic started the match on the right wing and he was spending more time in his own half. He has now been put in a more natural striker's role.

CHANCE! A neat passing move ends with James Milner receiving possession on the edge of the area. With no challenge being made, the England midfielder opts to fire in a shot. The ball is dragged well wide of the target, but it is more positive signs for the away team.

Montenegro's first real attack of the evening sees Lescott wildly hack clear a cross from Stefan Savic. The resultant corner is overhit by Vucinic and Ashley Cole is able to shepherd the ball out of a play for a goal kick. It may have come to nothing, but the home supporters like what they have seen.

Lovely football from England's Man United trio of Rooney, Welbeck and Cleverley almost puts England 2-0 up. Cleverley and Rooney exchange passes for the latter to curl over a cross from the left. Welbeck is unmarked, but the ball is just too high for him and the chance evaporates. Had he been able to reach it, he would surely have worked the goalkeeper at the very least.

CHANCE! Another opportunity for England goes a begging. Captain Gerrard picks out Milner on the right and the Man City winger instantly fizzes over a cross. Rooney is waiting at the back post, but the angle is narrow and there is a lot of pace on the ball, which prevents the striker from doubling his and England's tally.

BOOKING! England's first booking of the evening goes to full-back Johnson, who goes in late on Jovetic with a sliding challenge. It was pretty needless from Johnson because Jovetic really was going nowhere on the left wing.

Welbeck really is causing the Montenegro defence problems this evening. He's not just sticking up front - he is also moving left and right and nobody seems to know who should mark him. The only thing that has let him down so far has been the final pass. Too often he has picked out a member of the opposition with a pass or a cross.

With five minutes left to play of the half I think Hodgson will be extremely pleased with what he has seen from his team so far. His only complaint could be that they haven't scored more. Having said that, there's still time before the half-time whistle is blown.

BOOKING! Welbeck goes down inside the area under a challenge from Savic and immediately turns to face the referee. He wants a penalty, but the match official is having none of it. Montenegro are awarded a free kick and Welbeck is booked for simulation. Granted it may not have been a penalty, but it certainly wasn't a dive either. Poor decision from the referee.

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There will be one minute of stoppage time at the end of the first half.

Well, Hodgson is bound to be proud of his players after that 45 minutes. They have followed his instructions to the letter and are more than good value for their lead. No doubt he will be asking for more of the same during the second half. If they do that, they will win this match.

Here is some positive tweeting from former England international Gary Lineker, who is pleased with what he has seen so far: "This system suits England. So much more fluidity and freedom to our play. The shackles of 4-4-2 and straight lines surely banished forever."

And another ex England player, Danny Mills, is equally as happy. Here he is talking to BBC Sport:

"Great start for England, they have been very very positive and just what we hoped for. Maybe the mind games from the Montenegro coach has worked against them. England have been much the better side and they have played better than they have for a while. They have scored a goal, hit the post and should have had a penalty."

One thing England will have to be wary of during the second half is a Montenegro backlash. Surely the hosts won't be as bad after the restart. They were pretty toothless throughout that half and Hart hasn't been forced to make a save at all. Having said that, if they do attack more, it should leave more space for England to break in to.

Here is another tweet from journalist Holt: "All a bit subdued among the Montenegro fans at half time. They were having more fun when they were fighting each other."

SUBSTITUTION: As the second half gets underway, Montenegro make a change as Damjanovic replaces Novakovic. Big 45 minutes ahead for both nations.

CHANCE! Most of the ground thought Montenegro had scored and I've got to confess, I did as well! Savic gets to the left byline and stands up a cross to the back post. Waiting there is Jovetic, who gets above Johnson to power in a header. The ball crashes into the net, but it's only the side netting. It's been a much better start to the half by the home side though.

Montenegro have come out looking like a different team. They are now putting the England players under pressure when they have possession, which in turn is forcing the passes to be rushed. Mistakes are also being made. They are going about their work in a much busier fashion now.

CHANCE! Second sight of goal for Jovetic in the second half. A deep cross finds the striker at the back post, but it is on his weaker left foot and under pressure from Cole, he can only drag his volley well wide of the target. They may not have worked Hart still, but at least they are now getting their shots in.

CHANCE! And Montenegro's best chance of the night has just been wasted. If they could pick one player for the ball to drop to eight yards from goal, it would be Vucinic. His technique is all wrong though and he lifts an effort well over the crossbar. What a miss from the Juventus hitman.

SUBSTITUTION: A second switch for the away team as Vukcevic is hooked, with Kecojevic coming on in his place. It's a debut for the youngster - can he become an instant hero?

SAVE! Mr Hart you lucky, lucky boy! He's had virtually nothing to do all game, but he almost had to pick the ball of his own net through all of his own doing. Vucinic cuts in from the left and smashes the ball straight at the England keeper, who spills the ball between his legs. Thankfully he reacts quickly to spin around and hold and the second attempt.

CHANCE! Montenegro are getting closer and closer now. It's Vucinic again with the effort as he curls a shot from the edge of the box inches wide of the target. England need to regain a foothold in this game because surely they cannot resist this sort of pressure much longer.

SAVE! England are taking an absolute hammering - there is no other word for it. From the same position as Vucinic moments ago, Jovetic lofts a half-volley towards goal. It's a decent height for Hart though and he is able to push away the danger. The resultant corner causes havoc in the England box, before it is eventually cleared. England are hanging on.

It's been coming, but what a poor goal for England to concede. Hart makes a fantastic save from point-blank range, but the away side cannot clear the ball and substitute Damjanovic is on hand to poke in the rebound from close range. Montenegro deserve that and it could be a long final few minutes for Hodgson's team. Something needs to change, and quick.

SUBSTITUTION: Hodgson reacts to the goal by taking off the quiet Cleverley, who is replaced by his Man United teammate Ashley Young. Whether that will turn the tide, we shall see.

Montenegro have a free kick 25 yards from goal after Carrick is adjudged to have fouled Jovetic. Replays show that the England midfielder got the ball, but nonetheless, Vucinic is standing over it...

...but he sends the ball well over the crossbar. That sums up his evening to be honest because he has been nowhere near at his best.

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It's all gone a little flat during the last few minutes. Both sides know that a draw wouldn't be a disaster and it looks as though neither side is willing to lose this now. There is much more caution about both teams.

There will be a minimum of three minutes of stoppage time at the City Stadium.

England have a free kick 25 yards from goal. Both Rooney and Gerrard look extremely interested. This will be the winner if it flies in...

SAVE! A very, very uncertain Bozovic turns it just over the bar. Corner to England...

As you can tell, that corner was cleared by Montenegro and the spoils have been shared. Never has the cliche 'a game of two halves' been so relevant to a football match. England dominated the first half, while they took a battering during the second. It is as you were in terms of qualification. Montenegro lead England by two points.

That's all we have time for from Podgorica. Thanks for joining us this evening and until next time, goodbye.