Winger Matt Banahan was named man of the match after marking his Test debut with a try and Andy Goode booted 22 points as England moved above the Pumas to fifth in the world rankings.

England will be delighted to have kept Argentina tryless, although fly-half Juan Martin Hernandez was quick to punish any indiscretion and his 15 points kept the Pumas in touch.

England had slipped to their lowest ever ranking of eighth during the RBS 6 Nations after successive away defeats to Wales and Ireland.

But Martin Johnson's men have now strung together three straight victories - against France, Scotland and Argentina - for the first time since the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

Argentina were strengthened by the availability of their three-strong Stade Francais contingent and Hernandez, the masterful fly-half, stroked them into the lead after 70 seconds with a nonchalant drop-goal.

England pieced together a slick attack it and resulted in the opening try, with Banahan powering onto Armitage's grubber kick and through two defenders to touch down under the posts.

Goode, Dan Hipkiss and Mark Cueto had combined to send Armitage away with quick hands in a tight space and although the England full-back was taken out off the ball, Banahan pounced to score with a celebratory punch to the air.

Hernandez slotted a penalty in reply but England were gathering momentum.

But powerful surges from Nick Easter and Dylan Hartley set the platform for Goode to strike his second drop-goal of the half and secure England a 19-9 half-time lead.

Goode extended England's lead with another penalty shortly after the restart and Hernandez responded with two of his own to keep Argentina in touch.

When Goode made a pass to Cueto inside his own 22, it was greeted by ironic cheers.

The crowd soon got what they wanted with a try for Armitage after Care had launched a sizzling midfield break.

Care's pass to Cueto was poor but the England wing showed football skills suitable for the occasion by volleying the ball back infield and Armitage pounced for the second try.

But England rounded off the victory with a scintillating try from Armitage, who raced through the gears to chase down another volley from Cueto.