England take points but fail to impress

MALTA0 ENGLAND 4

Harry Kane began September by bringing his mini scoring drought to a timely end, but the way Gareth Southgate’s England toiled to victory in Malta underlines how much work needs to be done ahead of the World Cup.

It surely remains a case of when, rather than if, the Three Lions secure their place in Russia next summer, but the underwhelming nature of their display at the Ta’ Qali National Stadium raises concerns.

Malta are joint 190th in the world behind American Samoa, the Cook Islands, Brunei and Bangladesh, yet it took Kane’s second-half strike and a late flurry of goals from Ryan Bertrand, Danny Welbeck and the Tottenham striker to secure a flattering 4-0 win.

England’s 3,700 travelling fans resorted to gallows humour during a dire first half, with self-deprecating chanting and then booing their players at the end of a period which was devoid of inspiration, drive and intent.

Andre Schembri gave England a scare shortly after the break, only for Kane – who had endured another barren August – to quickly retaliate by slotting home after patient play by Dele Alli.

Bertrand’s long-range strike – his first international goal – added gloss five minutes before time, beginning a Malta collapse that soon saw Welbeck and Kane score.

The scoreline could not divert attention from a poor overall display, however.

Improvements will be needed at home to Group F’s second-placed side Slovakia on Monday, never mind the World Cup.

Harry Kane fires past Andrew Hogg for England’s fourth goal.