Five things we learned about Southgate’s England
Deadly Defoe
Handed his first England appearance since November 2013, Jermain Defoe made up for lost time as the Sunderland striker netted the opening goal. Recalled after scoring 14 Premier League goals this season, the 34-year-old was at the sharp end of all England’s most threatening attacks. The former Tottenham star comes alive inside the 18-yard box and he underlined his predatory instincts with a composed closerange finish in the 22nd minute. Defoe’s 20th England goal was his first since he netted against San Marino four years ago, and he twice came close to adding to his tally before departing to a standing ovation in the 59th minute.
Vardy reminder
Introduced as a 60th-minute replacement for Defoe, Jamie Vardy took just six minutes to stake his own claim for the prized role at the head of England’s attack. After struggling for much of the season with Leicester, Vardy has emerged from his slump in recent weeks and he maintained that revival with a masterclass in the striker’s art. Aware that Adam Lallana was about to slip a pass in his direction, Vardy was quicker to react than his markers as he beat the offside trap with ease and guided a cool finish past Ernestas Setkus. Vardy’s sixth England goal was a well-timed reminder that, five years after playing in non-league football, he could still develop into a genuine international-class finisher at the age of 30.
Ox out of sorts
Despite some underwhelming performances for Arsenal this season, Southgate gave Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain a chance to impress in a deep-lying midfield role and must have been disappointed with the response. Oxlade-Chamberlain’s future at Arsenal is in doubt and his England career is hardly on much firmer ground after this timid effort. This was a game crying out for a dominant midfielder to dictate the tempo, but instead Oxlade-Chamberlain gave away possession far too often and rarely supported the attack to any positive effect.
Sterling service
Restored to the starting lineup after missing the Germany friendly, Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling added some much-needed poise and pace to the England attack. With England labouring, Sterling took matters into his own hands with a scintillating raid down the left and delivered a perfectly-placed cross that Defoe finished off with aplomb.
Work in progress
Southgate won’t get many plaudits for his team’s stodgy performance and the England manager would be foolish not to realise there is still a lot of improvements needed before the World Cup.