England 2 Malta 0: Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions brush aside plucky Maltese despite goalkeeper Andrew Hogg’s heroics
Daniel Sturridge and Dele Alli net in first half to give interim boss comfortable evening at Wembley
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GARETH SOUTHGATE's first game as England boss passed with a hitch as the Three Lions easily brushed aside Malta at Wembley.
Southgate stuck with Wayne Rooney in midfield, playing Daniel Sturridge up top rather than Marcus Rashford with Theo Walcott and Jesse Lingard on the wings.
The visitors stuck plenty of men behind the ball in the early stages and Sturridge was guilty of missing an absolute sitter just quarter of an hour in, as he thundered a half volley high and wide from two yards.
But the Liverpool man made up for his error with a cushioned header shortly afterwards, before Dele Alli doubled the lead on the rebound following his own snap-shot.
Despite Malta barely getting out of their own half, they were kept in it thanks to some wonderful saves from stoppper Andrew Hogg.
After the break, it as much the same as Southgate's team constantly looked to get on the front foot but were often denied by Hogg or a resolute back four.
Hogg made NINE saves as he single-handedly kept out England in a fantastic performance from the Hull-born stopper.
But overall Southgate will be pleased with the three points and can set his sights on the slightly tougher test in Slovenia.
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Facts, stats, goals & lols
- Daniel Sturridge will hope his performance will have impressed his Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp ahead of Monday's big game at home to Man United.
- Deli Alli enhanced his reputation at international level scoring his 3rd goal for England. Good work between Stones and Sturridge on 37 mins and the Spurs man reacted quickest to his own shot saved by the keeper Andrew Hogg.
- England have won all 4 encounters with Malta who did their best to make it difficult for England by packing the defence, but Southgate will expect a better performance and test in Slovenia on Tuesday.
- England are unbeaten in 31 tournament qualify games and have won 14 qualifiers in a row after today's win.
- There were some boos from the England crowd when Rooney's name was announced before the game. Despite a good effort in the first half the England skipper again fails to impose himself on a game this season.
- Jordan Henderson showed Rooney how to play in midfield - his energy and quick passing set the tone for England as the game went on.
- After some excellent recent form for Arsenal Theo Walcott again flattered to deceive. He didn't move around the pitch enough to release himself and contribute to the game. The one time he went through on goal his shot was easily saved.
- Marcus Rashford was introduced on 67 mins to replace Walcott to huge applause from the England fans.
- With Raheem Sterling injured, Jesse Lingard missed the chance to give Southgate a selection headache on Sterling's return to the squad. The United winger had a quiet game and missed a simple close range header.
- The one negative from a fitness point of view was Ryan Bertrand who hobbled off with a hamstring injury and will be a big doubt for Southampton's home game against Burnley next weekend.
What they said
Jordan Henderson: "We had chances for it to be more, that is the disappointment of the game, we did not get more goals. We got sloppy towards the end which we need to work on. It is good to get the three points.
"The number 10 role is perfect for Dele. Me and Wayne Rooney need to get the ball forward and offer protection when we lose the ball."
Dele Alli: "I do like to get into the box to get goals and assists, the chances were there but need to be a bit more clinical.
"Gareth Southgate is a fantastic manager and he knows what I am about. He told me to go out there and play my football and it was a solid performance from the boys. We kept the ball and dominated the game."
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