Taylor impressed once again, as did his Newcastle team-mate James Milner, as the Under 21s stormed to a 3-0 win over Montenegro with the Toon defender wearing the skipper's armband.
But coach Stuart Pearce hailed the cutting edge of Gabriel Agbonlahor as the driving force behind the win.
Taylor Gets His Wish!
Pearce's youngsters got their Euro 2009 campaign off to the perfect start by winning in Podgorica, with Nedum Onuoha, Agbonlahor and Andrew Surman getting on the scoresheet.
Pearce: "We always feel we have enough in the front four, with their pace, and Gabby is a real handful. He gives us that cutting edge that we have.
"It was a good workmanlike performance, we're delighted with the result. Montenegro will cause people problems in the group, that's for sure."
Thankfully there was no repeat of the racial abuse England players suffered against neighbouring Serbia over the summer, although goalkeeper Joe Hart had objects thrown at him.