Lingard could be England manager’s trump card

Football

England’s World Cup build-up continued on Friday night with their first away win against the Netherlands since November 1969 on a night of satisfaction for manager Gareth Southgate.

It was a game when Southgate’s tactics reaped rewards as Jesse Lingard’s goal on the hour gave England their victory.

Southgate now looks forward to Tuesday’s friendly against Italy with more confidence following this deserved win.

Lingard said that it was “an honour” to score his first England goal on his ninth international appearance to settle this friendly in favour of England.

Southgate was certainly pleased to see Manchester United’s talented 25-year-old transfer the form that has illuminated parts of the season at Old Trafford on to the international stage.

The strike had all the Lingard trademarks that have brought him 13 goals for United this season.

He was involved in the build-up, made a positive run to the edge of the area and took full advantage of a favourable deflection that sent the ball spinning towards him to beat Netherlands goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet with an opportunist finish.

Zoet should have done better but that will not impact on Southgate’s pleasure at what Lingard could offer in Russia.

His performance and the goal have almost booked a place for Lingard at the Russia finals.

And this despite the other attacking talents which include Marcus Rashford, Raheem Sterling, Jamie Vardy and Harry Kane.