Sven Goran Eriksson endured the bitter taste of defeat for the first time as England head coach as Holland triumphed 2-0 at White Hart Lane.

	Robbie Fowler breaks through the Dutch defence (StuForster/Allsport)

The Swedish boss had enjoyed five successive victories since taking charge of the national side going into the game, but his side were taught a lesson in London.

Goals from Mark van Bommel and Manchester United's new recruit Ruud van Nistelrooy before the break stunned the home crowd.

With a vital World Cup qualifier against Germany to come on September 1, Eriksson was looking for a lift in London.

How much he will read into this result, however, remains to be seen as he showed he was prepared to experiment by using all 11 substitutes in the game.

As expected, Owen Hargreaves was handed his England debut with the Bayern Munich midfielder employed in a left-sided role.

Nigel Martyn got the nod to start in goal with David Seamen rested ahead of the vital World Cup qualifier with Germany next month.

The match was due to start at 8pm but the kick-off was delayed because supporters were caught up in traffic congestion.

Holland carved out the first chance of the match after five minutes when Patrick Kluivert laid the ball off to van Bommel but his shot did not trouble Martyn.

Then van Nistelrooy broke forward but Martin Keown was superbly positioned to avert the danger.

England were again forced on the back foot after nine minutes when £19million man van Nistelrooy left his Old Trafford team-mate Gary Neville for dead.

However, Martyn got down quickly to block his effort and Kluivert dragged the rebound wide.

Hargreaves burst into life in the 16th minute when he delivered a wonderful crossfield ball to the feet of David Beckham.

The England skipper appealed for a penalty when his shot seemed to strike the arm of Arsenal new boy Giovanni van Bronckhorst but referee Anders Frisk would have none of it.

A minute later Beckham got away from the former Rangers midfielder but Fulham keeper Edwin van der Sar was equal to his effort.

England moved forward again in the 23rd minute and Paul Scholes tried his luck from 20 yards.

However, his shot carried little power.

The Dutch were furious with referee Frisk when he refused to award a penalty after Ashley Cole clearly upended Philip Cocu.

The Arsenal youngster could have had no complaints had a spot kick been awarded.

Cole, however, then powered forward down the left and delivered a teasing cross to his namesake Andy.

The Manchester United striker got a good touch on the ball, only for van der Sar to kick it clear.

Gary Neville thumped in the rebound but the keeper reacted superbly to turn the ball around the post.

The Dutch then moved up a gear to score twice inside a minute and leave the home crowd stunned.

Van Bommel opened the scoring after 38 minutes with a thunderous shot from 30 yards as England players, especially Jamie Carragher, stood off him.

Worse was to follow 60 seconds later with van Nistelrooy getting the second with a clinical finish after Martyn had beaten away another powerful shot this time from Boudewijn Zenden.

England almost conceded a third two minutes before the break when van Nistelrooy's delightful chip from the edge of the area came back off the bar.

Head coach Eriksson made eight changes at half-time including a switch of keepers with West Ham's David James replacing Martyn.

James, however, was hurt a minute after coming on when he bravely deflected a shot from Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink to safety.

It meant England bringing on their third keeper of the night, Richard Wright.

Keown was also hurt in the incident and was replaced by Middlesbrough's Ugo Ehiogu.

Both players were later reported to have suffered knee injuries.

The Dutch employed the same tactics as England when it came to giving players a run-out - they had nine men on the bench.

They looked very comfortable as the game progressed and England found it tough trying to reduce the deficit.

Andy Cole, who missed Manchester United's Charity Shield defeat by Liverpool because of a domestic matter, was given a lengthy run-out by Eriksson.

He was eventually replaced by Alan Smith, the last of the England substitutes to be used.

The Leeds forward was eager to make an impression but the Dutch continued to frustrate England for a confidence-boosting win ahead of their World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland.