DEFOE AND DEFLATED

Jermain’s goal – 1,456 days after his last England strike–was a rare highlight as the Three Lions fell flat

THE fairytale comeback was at least something to remember from an all too familiar England performance.

Jermain Defoe provided the headline, his return after three years in the international wilderness always destined to end with him scoring.

That is simply what he does. It took Defoe 21 minutes to find the net and pose the question as to why a succession of England managers decided against a recall until now.

The Sunderland striker will be 35 by the time next year’s World Cup comes around and, despite his age, is still the best bet to nick a goal in tight games when chances are few and far between.

And that was the problem for England. Despite all Gareth Southgate’s hope and optimism for a bright new era, it needed a veteran to open up the game and put his team on course for victory.

At times, it was painful to watch and there is only so much blame that can be can directed at Lithuania’s negative, defensive and often cynical approach.

England were also sloppy, the pace of the match was slow, they did not force the issue enough and there was very little zip or invention about the display.

Southgate, of course, will be happy just to have got the job done, another three points towards qualification but England so rarely – if ever – get fans off their seats.

It was underwhelming and, no matter how many excuses, they did not look any great shakes against a team ranked 107th in the world by FIFA. Somehow England are 14th. That is the equivalent of Premier League against non-league.

The Three Lions regularly raise expectations – as they did in Germany last week –and fall rather flat a few days later.

Southgate desperately needs to iron out those inconsistencies but there were some positives, especially Defoe’s return and Adam Lallana’s emergence as England’s main man, the Liverpool midfielder (right) once