Here's the post match reaction from the England and All Blacks' captains and coaches. Whatever it may have looked like, the All Blacks can take a fair amount of pride and satisfaction from their efforts at Twickenham.
It's not a fortress, but it is a tough place to win.
New Zealand 24 England 21
The All Blacks survived a slow start, the controversial second-half sinbinning of Dane Coles and a late penalty try to beat England 24-21 at Twickenham this morning.
Second-half tries from skipper Richie McCaw and replacement prop Charlie Faumuina got the visitors home in front of a crowd of 82,000.
Steve Hansen's men shook off the numerical disadvantage and drizzle after the break to beat the English, making it four victories from four this year after the clean sweep in the June series.
The win was not without controversy. Referee Nigel Owens showed Coles a yellow card in the 57th minute when he reacted to opposite Dylan Hartley's off-the-ball attentions on his own try-line, lashing out with his boot, and Owens then declined to yellow card an English defender when the home side scrambled to react from a break by midfielder Sonny Bill Williams in the closing stages.
Owens then awarded a penalty try to England with less than 30 seconds on the clock due to a scrum infringement on the All Blacks' line.
The final scoreline probably flattered the English, who were comprehensively outplayed in the second half. Beauden Barrett, who replaced Aaron Cruden after 60 minutes, missed two easy shots at goal - a penalty and the conversion for Faumuina's try.
The All Blacks got off to a poor start when wing Johnny May too easily drifted outside Conrad Smith and evaded Israel Dagg's attempted tackle to score in the corner after four minutes.
Image 1 of 7: The All Blacks perform the haka prior to kickoff. Photo / Getty Images
Steve Hansen's men hardly fired a shot in the early stages. They didn't have the ball in England's territory until 12 minutes in, but when they did the response was impressive - flanker Jerome Kaino carrying strongly down the right touchline and Aaron Cruden diving over after a nice angled run close to the ruck.
After a close victory over the Wallabies in Brisbane and a loss to the Springboks, the All Blacks' slow start was a surprise, but credit must go to England for their defensive effort aligned with a cutting edge on attack which was personified by the elusive May.
They dominated possession and territory and could have gone to the break with a greater buffer than the 14-11 scoreline, but for a missed dropped goal attempt by first-five Owen Farrell.
It was all change after the break, the All Blacks taking a strangle-hold on the test through tries by McCaw, who did well to take a difficult pass by Israel Dagg, and Faumuina, who replaced Owen Franks and went over in a typical rumbling run close to the line.
The All Blacks' hero was once again McCaw, who was outstanding, especially in the second half. He was booed by some elements of the crowd afterwards during his on-field interview, but he once again showed his talent at appearing in the right place at the right time with his try and several crucial ruck turnovers.
Lock Sam Whitelock could perhaps consider himself unlucky not to be awarded a try in the second half when he dived on the ball which appeared to have left the England ruck and touched the goal-line.
The try wasn't given but the All Blacks coped regardless, their first victory of their three-test United Kingdom tour thoroughly deserved.
All Blacks 24 (Aaron Cruden, Richie McCaw, Charlie Faumuina tries; Cruden 2 pens, Beauden Barrett pen) England 21 (Johnny May try, penalty try, Owen Farrell 3 pens, con) HT: England 14-11
