Terry took full responsibility and exonerated goalkeeper Scott Carson of any blame after gifting Germany'sPatrick Helmes an equaliser early in the second half.

But the Chelsea defender put that setback behind him by heading home a free-kick from Stewart Downing with six minutes remaining.

Terry, one of only three first-choice players in Fabio Capello's line-up, said: "It was a good performance and it would have been an injustice had we ended up drawing the game.

"The conditions with the swirling wind made it difficult to get the ball down in play in the first half but in the second period we played a lot better and deserved the win.

"For me personally it's a great feeling to lead the side to victory in Germany, particularly after losing the game with them at Wembley 15 months ago."

Terry added: "I hold my hands up. I am to blame for their goal. There is no blame at all attached to Scott.

"I should have dealt with the situation better. Someone of my experience should have cleared the ball.

"But I am relieved that I had the chance to make amends by going down the other end and getting the winner.

"I told Stewart to hold the ball up at the far post and I managed to get in front of their centre-half and head it home."

Terry was full of praise for the young line-up that Capello was forced to field after being denied eight senior players through injury.

He said: "The youngsters can be proud of themselves and I thought Gabby (Gabriel Agbonlahor) did fantastically well.

"I think these youngsters have given the manager a difficult problem for the future when he comes to picking his side.

"This is a great way to finish the year. We started it quite slowly but have got our confidence back and have got the fans back on our side."

Matthew Upson had broken the deadlock when he converted a corner from Downing.

The Terry blunder led to Helmes's equaliser after the break but then Terry made amends with just six minutes remaining.