Sancho double seals win as England fend off Kosovo fightback

England were world-class in attack and, at times, second-class in defence last night.

Gareth Southgate had claimed there was not enough “jeopardy” in qualifying for Euro 2020, but England sent a message to the rest of Europe as to the danger they pose.

The danger is also to themselves, however, for as devastating as they were going forward led by the peerless, the almost unstoppable force that is Raheem Sterling, they were uncertain at the back as they gifted three goals to Kosovo who, nevertheless, deserve huge credit for their own sterling performance.

The axis of Sterling and Harry Kane is such an accomplished combination – and it was added to by 19-year-old Jadon Sancho, with his first internationals goals – that England can be contenders for the finals next summer… but only if, and it is a big if, Southgate can cut out the errors behind them.

The good news is that England have scored 14 goals in four games in qualifying so far, more than any other nation. The bad news is the analysis will point to a familiar lack of game-management – with question marks over the midfield also – because England went in 5-1 up at half-time only to end this contest holding their breath as a shot by Swansea City’s Bersant Celina narrowly cleared Jordan Pickford’s far post. It should not have been like that. No matter how well Kosovo played, how brave and fearless they were, it should have been game over with Southgate given the option of bringing on substitutes earlier than the 83rd minute.

Instead, he was left fretting about whether he can trust Michael Keane, whether Trent Alexanderarnold went missing and if he can leave Declan Rice as the holding midfielder.

Southgate had predicted difficulties, he had said Kosovo – proud and undefeated in 15 games before this, the longest run in Europe – would be England’s biggest challenge. But not like this. He would not have expected England to be their own undoing with a goal given away after 34 seconds, another just after half-time and then the present of a penalty as Harry Maguire panicked.

Against that were some superb finishes, some excellent attacking play, a missed penalty, a post struck and the confirmation that England are exciting, entertaining and, as we all thought, still most emphatically a work-in-progress. It was breathlessly relentless and another fine advert for taking England on the road, as they played their first competitive fixture away from Wembley since it reopened in 2007.

Southampton lapped it up and not least the large Kosovan contingent – including Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri – estimated at 20,000 who descended on the South Coast, many making it into the stadium to see their team take the lead inside the first minute.

It was a catastrophic error that gifted Kosovo the lead, as England played the ball out from the back. Harry Maguire into the feet of Ross Barkley was fine, as was his pass back to Keane, who then miscued the ball intended for Maguire with it going straight to Vedat Muriqi. He squared for Valon Berisha to lift the ball calmly past Pickford and put Kosovo in front.

Little wonder Barkley held his arms out in disbelief. He was, however, gesticulating to greater effect soon after as he placed the ball for a corner. Right arm up, Barkley signalled a routine, with his delivery being met by Keane, who headed back across goal for Sterling to rise and nod the ball into the net.

Sterling intervened again and this time he was provider, turning defender Amir Rrahmani and sprinting towards goal before offloading the ball to Kane, who shifted on to his left foot and struck a fierce low drive through the legs of goalkeeper Aro Muric.

England were aided with their next goal. Fidan Aliti went down injured as he challenged Alexander-arnold by the touchline but as Kosovo demanded play be stopped, England continued, with Sancho working his way down the flank and crossing low where defender Mergim Vojvoda turned it into his own goal.

Gloriously, England did not let up, with Rice winning the ball back and Jordan Henderson setting Sterling away to run from deep and play a precise pass across the face of the penalty area. Sancho’s assured first touch gave him the time and the winger slotted low past Muric.

Just before half-time there was a second for Sancho, with Sterling tricking his way down the left, beating Florent Hadergjonaj and again arrowing goalwards. He had the chance to shoot but elected to dink the ball to the unmarked Sancho, who side-footed into the empty net.

England should have closed it down. It should have been over. Instead, they worryingly lost the second half 2-0 as Rice sloppily gave away possession and Muriqi picked out the unmarked Berisha, who curled a shot high into the goal.

England blundered again. Maguire cut out a cross but made a mess of clearing it, Muriqi stealing in and the defender bringing him down. The penalty was given and Muriqi sent it beyond Pickford.

Barkley then set off on a clever run that took him past two defenders, with Rrahmani struggling and pulling him back. Kane spotted the penalty, but Muric dived to his right to beat out the kick. After that, Sterling collected Kane’s pass to strike a post and saw another shot deflected narrowly wide.

There had been jeopardy after all for England. Unfortunately, they had created it themselves.