After a bright opening during which the Manchester United forward produced a neat solo goal, the visitors faded badly and did little to suggest they can make an impact at Euro 2012.
Andy Carroll had headed wide by the time Young struck in the ninth minute - easily eluding Brede Hangeland and scuffing into the far corner from 15 yards.
There were warnings from Norway thereafter with Morten Gamst Pedersen striking a post direct from a corner and Mohammed Abdellaoue dragging wide from the area's edge.
With frustration growing, England skipper Steven Gerrard lunged into a challenge that saw Tom Hogli limp out of the game - and there was little improvement after the break despite Phil Jones' deflected drive cannoning off the upright.
Instead, it was Norway who enjoyed the majority of the possession, and John Arne Riise worked Rob Green at his near post with a fierce shot from a narrow angle.
Optimistic England fans will point out that it was the first victory in Norway since 1966, but the travelling support was stunned into silence for long periods of a drab game by their side's lack of imagination in possession.
There was further concern when Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry, on as a half-time substitute, was forced off with a groin injury.
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone provided by Airtel Nigeria.
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