Harry’s a happy man as he ends goalless run to spark England’s stroll to success
HARRY Kane’s first international goal in 16 months helped England on their way to a comfortable victory in Albania as World Cup qualification continued without a hitch for Gareth Southgate’s side.
England overcame a sluggish start to win against well-drilled Albania, with Kane’s first international goal since November 2019 and a fine Mason Mount effort seeing them take control Group I ahead of Poland’s visit.
Luke Shaw was among six changes from the 5-0 win over San Marino for Sunday’s qualifier and marked his first appearance since September 2018 with a fine cross that Kane expertly headed home towards the end of a drab first half.
The England skipper rattled the crossbar soon after and Phil Foden saw an effort tipped onto the post in the early stages of the second half.
Southgate’s men settled the contest in the 63rd minute as Kane put through Mount to superbly curl home as the visitors capitalised on a poor error by Albania defender Berat Djimsiti.
This encounter was exactly 20 years on from England’s last match in Albania, where the hosts made life uncomfortable during the opening exchanges.
Edoardo Reja’s organised and hungry side forced a 13thminute mistake that they should have done better from. Mount’s wayward pass was picked off and Albania broke, but Myrto Uzuni poorly blazed over Nick Pope’s goal from the edge of the box.
John Stones, making his second international start in a matter of days, had headed wide from a corner shortly before that warning shot for an England side struggling to build up play on the stodgy Air Albania Stadium pitch.
Impressive defending was compounding the visitors’ lack of creativity, with Kyle Walker’s hopeful long-range effort summing up the Three Lions’ growing desperation.
But Southgate’s men always had the quality to hurt the side 66th in the world rankings and pulled ahead in the 38th minute.
Returning Shaw curled over a fine first-time cross from the left that Kane stretched to meet with a superb header that found the bottom right-hand corner.
England nearly added another within four minutes. Raheem Sterling bent over a lovely rightfooted cross from the same area, with Kane getting ahead of Hysen Memolla at the far post and hitting the underside of the crossbar.
Neither side made half-time changes and Southgate’s men returned on the front foot, hitting the woodwork again in the 52nd minute.
Sterling kept his cool under pressure and laid it back for Manchester City team-mate Foden to hit a low left-footed shot that Albania goalkeeper Etrit Berisha tipped onto the post.
Walker saw a fizzing cross cleared and Kane mishit an effort from a corner as England looked to put the match to bed, which they managed to do in the 63rd minute.
Djimsiti’s attempted pass out from the back only succeeded in finding Sterling, who prodded the ball onto Kane.
The England skipper played a lovely ball through to Mount and the Chelsea midfielder coolly curled home.
Kane was bemused to be booked when challenging Albania’s defence to turn home from close range and would see a shot deflect wide in stoppage time.
But the match had long since petered out on a night when Pope did not have to deal with a serious threat on goal.
AS we are deep into the international break, it is the perfect time to reflect upon the Cardiff City season so far. It is fair to say it has been a season of two halves and while some have enjoyed a resurgence, others have seen their game-time greatly reduced.
Here, we take a look at how each player has performed to date this term.
GOALKEEPERS
Started the season as solid as ever, barring one blip which handed Millwall a soft goal at The Den. Lost his place to Dillon Phillips after a mystery illness.
Has done tremendously stepping into the No.1 spot and has been a cornerstone of Cardiff’s terrific defensive record of late. Had one error when he let in Watford star Adam Masina’s late free-kick, but was a hero with a double penalty save against Preston.
DEFENDERS
What a frustrating loan spell this has been for the Arsenal youngster. Started so brightly, but that hamstring injury has kept him out for six months. He might be back for the last eight games, but he has dropped down the pecking order.
Since signing from Crewe in January he has become an instant hit with the fans. Has been tremendous on that right-hand side, calm and composed in defence and marauding and threatening in attack. What a signing.
A relatively small sample size, having played only four games, but has looked a real find. Put in a stellar display in the win over Swansea City and now has fans very excited.
As solid as you like from the skipper, who has gone from strength to strength of late. Has looked a real threat in the opposition box and has slotted into the back-three system superbly. A top season so far.
Few would have thought it, even as recently as January, but Flint has grown to become one of City’s most important players. Has become a rock in the middle of that back three and looks a better player with each passing game. Good on him.
Started the season a little shakily, it must be said, and had a couple of little blunders which led to goals, but has put his body on the line under Mick McCarthy. He has become a blocking machine and adds pace to the centre-backs. Will likely feature after the break.
Has been thrown in at the deep end and, credit to him, has adapted well. Has come back from Livingston in Scotland and played at wing back and centre-back, whichever the situation needs. Has proven himself a decent defender, but needs work with the ball at his feet.
Another who grew as the season went on, Bennett looked to be back to his attacking best in that wing-back role under McCarthy. Gutting for him that he sustained that ACL injury.
It should have been a sliding-doors moment for Bagan when Bennett was injured, but he dislocated his shoulder the very next match. But he has acquitted himself well in the eight matches he has played. Exciting things to come from him next season.
Was Neil Harris’ back-up centre back on the bench for the first half of the season and was preferred to Filip Benkovic for the most part. Currently undergoing treatment for cancer and he has the footballing community
Has been the best of the central midfielders this season. Not blessed with the touch or technique of others, but more than makes up for it. Has scored screamers, covered miles and miles and has been at his combative best.
Through no fault of his own, he found himself out of position for most of the season at right-back. Has had fleetingly impressive performances in the No.10 role, including a double against Derby. Solid, nothing more.
Probably one of the better players in that first-half of the season, when City were not doing too well, but after a couple of injuries has been ousted by Pack and Vaulks. Filled in excellently at left-back against Swansea.
Another who was arguably one of the standouts under Neil Harris at the beginning of the campaign, but has maybe tailed off a little of late. Overall, an impressive loan spell so far.
Really struggled to get any sort of form or rhythm at the start of the season, although Harris persisted with him. Has gone completely off the radar since McCarthy took over, having featured only once – the first game in charge up at Barnsley.
Another who really struggled during the first half of the season, cast aside by Harris. Had a purple patch when McCarthy came in, scoring two and assisting three in the manager’s first seven games. Has faded slightly since then, though. Still has a big part to play.
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