JERMAIN’S FAIRYTALE COMEBACK
VETERAN Jermain Defoe struggled to keep his emotions in check after scoring on his England return after an absence of more than three years.
The striker, 34, led the team out alongside Bradley Lowery – the terminally ill five-year-old Sunderland fan with whom he has formed a close bond.
Black Cats star Defoe hit the opener in the 21st minute of the World Cup qualifying Group F match.
He said: “I enjoyed it, it’s been a good week.
“It’s hard to put into words really. I had to keep my emotions under control, obviously little Brad was with me. You can imagine how I felt doing that, it was special.
“Just to be back playing with the lads again was a great feeling.”
Despite the Defoe fairytale England did not look any great shakes against a team 107th in the world. Somehow the Three Lions are 14th but that’s the equivalent of Premier League against non-league.
The opener came when Raheem Sterling’s pace took him down the left. He
ENGLAND..2 LITHUANIA..0
JOHN CROSS crossed into the box and there was Defoe to gobble up an easy chance, firing into the roof of the net for his 15th goal of the season for club and country.
England boss Gareth Southgate threw on Marcus Rashford and Jamie Vardy in the second half as Sterling and Defoe faded.
And Vardy netted in the 67th minute to give his gaffer much-needed breathing space.
Kyle Walker drove from right-back, Adam Lallana provided a lovely little flick to Vardy and the Leicester striker firing home a composed finish.
Southgate, whose side top Group F with 13 points from five games, said: “We’d have liked more goals but only one team came to win the game.”
Asked if Defoe would be in his World Cup thinking if England qualify, the boss added: “If he scores like he is in the Premier League there’s no reason why he wouldn’t be.”