Advantage England after Flintoff's five

Andrew Flintoff salutes the Lord's crowd after his first five-wicket Test haul at the Home of Cricket in his final Test there

Man of the match Andrew Flintoff's five-wicket haul inspired England as the hosts went one up in the npower Ashes with an historic 115-run victory over Australia at Lord's.

Flintoff bowled sublimely from the Pavillion End all morning and deservedly claimed his first five-for in a Lord's Test, his last at the Home of Cricket due to his impending Test retirement.

The 31-year-old made a crucial breakthrough in the second over when he had Brad Haddin caught at slip for 80, before cleaning up tailenders Nathan Hauritz and Peter Siddle in the second hour.

Graeme Swann picked up the vital wicket of Michael Clarke for 136 in the off-spinner's first over, immediately after the drinks interval. Swann also bowled Mitchell Johnson for a valiant, if streaky, 63 to complete the win.

After Clarke and Haddin set up the final day with their 185-run alliance, England's superb bowling display made relatively light work of their task in overcast conditions.

It vindicated captain Andrew Strauss' decision to declare first thing yesterday morning, setting Australia 522 to complete a record successful fourth innings run-chase.

In the end it was England who made history with their first Test victory over Australia at Lord's in 75 years. They head to Edgbaston next week looking for a repeat performance.

James Anderson, who took the first over, and Flintoff combined expertly to offer Australia nothing early on. Indeed, the first run of the day did not come until midway through the third over.

Anderson began brilliantly with two close lbw appeals against Clarke in a maiden first over which Flintoff followed with a wicket maiden.

Bowling consistently above 90mph, he lured the right-handed Haddin forward and found his outside edge. Paul Collingwood scooped up the catch low to his right at second slip as Haddin departed having faced 130 balls.

Paul Collingwood pouches Brad Haddin for 80 off Flintoff as England made an ideal start to the crucial final day at Lord's

Flintoff provided a constant threat and almost accounted for Johnson for nought, in the same fashion as Haddin, but the ball dropped just short of Collingwood.

The left-hander would have also been plumb lbw soon after to a low full toss had Flintoff not overstepped the mark.

Having survived these chances, and with Stuart Broad on for Anderson, Johnson counter-attacked while senior batsman Clarke played more steadily at the other end.

However, Johnson was again fortunate when Broad located his outside edge, this time dropping short of Flintoff at second slip.

Strauss introduced Swann at the Nursery End after an hour and the move immediately paid dividends.

Clarke had continued to look solid during the first hour but was undone by a flighted delivery which he advanced towards only to see his off stump knocked back.

The right-hander, who resumed on 125 this morning, occupied 227 balls and struck 14 fours. That left the tourists needing an improbable 166 to win with three wickets remaining.

Flintoff continued and soon sent Hauritz on his way for one as the right-hander played no shot to a full delivery that uprooted his off stump.

Swann almost pulled off a stunning caught and bowled to dismiss Johnson on 26. Bowling from round the wicket, the bowler dived high to his right but could not cling on as he came to earth.

Michael Clarke misjudges spinner Graeme Swann's second delivery today to fall for 136, leaving the tourists seven down

Flintoff completed his first Test five-wicket haul since the 2005 Ashes when he beat Siddle's defence for seven. He finished with 5-92 from 27 overs having bowled unchanged this morning despite his knee injury.

Johnson, batting with last man Ben Hilfenhaus, continued to take the fight to England and went to fifty from 62 balls. He took Australia past 400 with a beautiful straight drive off Flintoff.

In was in this vain though that he fell when he missed Swann's delivery from the last ball of the 21st over today.

Swann ended with 4-87 from 28 overs as the tourists mustered 406 with Hilfenhaus unbeaten on four.