London: Gareth Southgate’s plea for England to play with adventure and style was answered only fitfully as his reign as caretaker manager began with a 2-0 win over Malta in a World Cup Group F qualifier yesterday.
It took half an hour for the former England defender’s selection to break down a stubborn rearguard but thanks to first-half goals from Daniel Sturridge and Dele Alli they did go some way to meeting Southgate’s demands.
However, in the first outing since Sam Allardyce’s embarrassing departure as manager after one match and 67 days in charge, the victory that gave England maximum points at the top of the group brought only the odd smile to a Wembley full house of 81,781.
Southgate, who has four games to secure the job full-time, had a right to feel irritated that, despite completely outclassing a side ranked 176th in the world, his team did not have the wit to make their second-half domination count with a hatful of goals.
Starting with captain Wayne Rooney in midfield and giving a debut to Jesse Lingard, a former favourite when he was in charge of England’s under-21 team, Southgate was hoping for sharper finishing.
England play their third qualifier in Slovenia on Tuesday.
Thomas Mueller scored twice for the second World Cup qualifier in a row to lead dominant Germany to a comprehensive 3-0 win over Czech Republic.
Toni Kroos was also on target to leave the world champions with six points from two games in Group C, alongside Azerbaijan, and firmly on course for the finals in Russia in 2018.
A hat-trick by deadly finisher Robert Lewandowski lifted Poland to a 3-2 victory over Denmark in Group E qualifier.
James McArthur’s 89th minute header salvaged a 1-1 draw for Scotland at home to Lithuania in their Group F clash at Hampden Park.