There was a deflating start to the European Under 21 Championships for Michael Mancienne as he was shown a red card during a 2-1 victory.

Selected to start against Finland in the tournament's first match, the 21-year-old Chelsea defender was central in an England backline that was unsettled by the Finns direct approach from the off.

They survived an early lack of communication between Mancienne and keeper Joe Hart, with Mancienne sweeping up the danger under pressure. However on 30 minutes he fared less well in dealing with a similar bouncing ball between the player and the Man City keeper.

Finland centre-forward Berat Sadik won the ball and was grabbed back before he could shoot. A penalty was awarded and a straight red was shown.

England by that stage were 1-0 up against the run of play, Wigan's Lee Cattermole having turned in a cross by Villa's Gabriel Agbonlahor.

Former Southampton trainee Tim Sparv equalised from the spot.

England's second-half winner against the group outsiders in Halmstad, Sweden, was a header from a corner by Man City's Micah Richards.

Mancienne will now be suspended for England's next group match which is against Spain on Thursday.