Saturday 12 November 2016 10:17, UK
A hat-trick of headers gave England a 3-0 win over Scotland in Friday’s World Cup qualifier at Wembley.
Daniel Sturridge turned in the opener before second-half goals by Adam Lallana and Gary Cahill ensured it was a comfortable finish to a hard-fought game for the home side.
We pick out the talking points for England as Gareth Southgate waits to find out whether he's done enough to get the job on a permanent basis...
Quality counts
Scotland troubled England in the first half. They worked hard and closed down well. Most notably, Grant Hanley failed to make the most of an excellent headed opportunity. In the second half, two more good chances were squandered early on while only a goal separated the sides. But ultimately, England ran out 3-0 winners. They had by far the better players.
Sturridge's headed finish for the opening goal was that of a proven goalscorer. It came after good work by Raheem Sterling whose speed and skill looked too much for the visitors at times. Certainly, his combination play with Danny Rose for England's second was impressive in setting up the in-form Lallana to double the lead.
If Cahill's header - the third of the night - flattered England it also underlined the difference in quality between the sides. With the game won, Southgate's men even began to enjoy themselves and after all of Scotland's early bluster it began to look like what it was - a Premier League side taking on a team forced to rely on players from the Championship.
Tottenham full-backs Kyle Walker and Rose enhanced their reputations as adventurous flyers on the flanks, while the positive mood at Liverpool was reflected in the interplay initiated by Lallana as well as the identity of the first two goalscorers. But not everything about England's performance inspired confidence, particularly in a sketchy first 45 minutes.
Cohesion issues
The opportunity for John Stones to work with Pep Guardiola is widely regarded as a cause for excitement in England circles and there is every chance that the young defender will develop into a player of real substance at Manchester City. But the sight of him in an England shirt right now is a reminder of the mishmash of styles in this team.
The number of examples were far too plentiful to list in full. Five minutes before half time, Stones played a short pass towards Eric Dier. The midfielder was expecting it but that didn't mean he was ready and able to deal with it. Not when the Scotland players knew what was coming too. Dier miscontrolled, possession was lost and a free-kick was conceded.
It was a recurring theme. Rooney and Jordan Henderson got into difficulty in letting in Leigh Griffiths. Even when not under pressure things looked confused with Stones often dropping deep only to see Joe Hart launch it long. Nothing moments that said everything. A team of individuals on different wavelengths. A consistent and effective pattern of play was lacking.
Lallana harried in the manner that he's become accustomed to under Jurgen Klopp but time and time again discovered that Rooney is far from an ideal pressing partner. The England captain wasn't the only one uncomfortable finding himself rushed in deeper areas - Cahill was booked late on after dallying - but team-mates kept putting each other in trouble.
Uncertain future
The solutions are not straightforward for Southgate. Cohesion is the age-old conundrum for the international manager given time restrictions and a squad in flux. But the issue is particularly apposite for a coach who is well aware there's a deadline looming by which point he must prove he's earned the right to take this team forwards.
Two wins and a draw on his watch mean England are sitting atop Group F and on course to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. To have done so while achieving the country's biggest win over rivals Scotland in more than 40 years would seem to secure Southgate's position in the absence of an obvious alternative candidate who could come in and make a real difference.
But even in the wake of a big win, questions remain. England's superiority to Scotland was one of ability not organisation. That will not be the case when they face Spain on Tuesday. Those are the opponents against which Southgate must show he can forge a side that's better than the sum of its parts. This was a start. Much more is needed if it is to end well.
