Uninspiring Three Lions pinch close win again
HARRY Kane admitted England must improve after finishing their World Cup qualifying campaign with another underwhelming win.
Kane’s first-half penalty earned Gareth Southgate’s side a 1-0 win away to Lithuania.
It was a second straight 1-0 success following the late win over Slovenia on Thursday which sealed qualification for next summer’s tournament – but once again England delivered a thoroughly uninspiring performance.
“It wasn’t a fantastic performance, it was a solid one,” Kane said.
“They didn’t really create many chances. It’s a win to finish off the group, it’s been a good campaign for us and now we move on.
“It was a difficult surface, but we have to do better.”
England boss Gareth Southgate was keen to emphasise the positives after making seven changes from the Slovenia game and changing the system to three at the back.
“We wanted to try something, we gave three full debuts,” said the England manager.
“We made seven changes because we wanted to look at players.”
Highlighting the hosts’ ‘packed defence’, he added: “A little bit more quality in the final third was what was missing. We were a fraction off on some of the passes through. We have to find ways to deal with that.”
England take on Germany and Brazil in two glamour friendlies next month.