Southgate’s satisfied with Three Lions performance in ‘tight’ tie
ENGLAND boss Gareth Southgate was pleased with his side overcoming a ‘tight game’ after the Three Lions beat Kosovo 4-0 at the Stadiumi Falid Vokrri.
Harry Winks opened the scoring with his first international goal before Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford found the net before Mason Mount sealed the win, also claiming his first England goal.
And after coming through unscathed in their final competitive match before Euro 2020 next summer, Southgate felt it was a good test for his side.
The England boss told ITV: “I think it was a tight game. It was a good test for us really. Difficult pitch, in particular, lots of people slipping and a few passes went astray.
“But we needed a tighter game. It was the sort of challenge I was pleased we got.
“We had to withstand spells of pressure, gave them a few half-chances that on another night could be more of a problem, but in the end our counter-attacking was absolutely ruthless.”
Spurs man Winks was pleased with his first international goal and his role in the team.
Speaking to ITV, he said: “Honestly it is a dream come true to score for my country.
“It’s one I never thought would happen but to score, and the way we were playing as well, was a great moment for me.
“I like to consider myself as someone who can be that pivot, if needed, or that (number) eight, if needed. The manager told me what was needed and I tried my best to deliver that.”
Meanwhile, England captain Kane felt it was a professional performance.
Kane said: “It was a difficult game, difficult pitch. They were up for it.
“We had already won the group so the mentality is not always easy to go again but we got it right.
“We got 1-0 up. We went through a few spells where they had some pressure but we soaked it up and then towards the end of the game, when the spaces started to open up, we were clinical. Four-nil is a great result.”