ENGLAND NIGERIA UZOHO EASY FOR HARRY
...but keepers will be harder to beat at World Cup KANE MORE THAN ABLE
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before Leon Balogun turned it behind, and when Eric Dier’s header wasn’t dealt with, John Stones thought opportunity was about to knock.
Somehow, Nigeria scrambled it away but already England could sense the visitors were there for the taking.
Chances
Sterling caused more trouble with a lovely turn which left Troostekong’s head spinning but his dinked effort was wide of a post.
Then Dele Alli combined with Tottenham team-mate Kieran Trippier, who in turn found Jesse Lingard, but credit to Uzoho who this time did well at his near post.
Sterling created more chances in the first half than he had done headlines in the build-up to this match – no mean feat. And if his finishing could match his build-up play, he would be a world beater.
Unsurprisingly, it was Sterling who fed Kane a five-yard pass on the edge of the Nigeria box and the skipper hit the net.
His attempt shouldn’t have troubled a non-league keeper, let alone an international, but 19-yearold Uzoho let it squirm in.
Rohr made four changes at the break and within two minutes of the restart Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi clipped a pass into Odion Ighalo.
The former Watford striker showed some lovely quick feet to bring it down and when his shot rebounded out to Iwobi he confidently side-footed home.
The visitors were more of a threat but England never looked like conceding again. first half and created a lot of chances. Second half they scored and it puts the pressure on. But we got back into it, kept the ball and came back well.
“l feel at my best. It was great to score – it’s always nice for a striker – and now I’m looking forward to the game on Thursday.”
Cahill (right) said: “If you have the opportunity to play you can show what you do, at club level, and I finished the season strong and am glad to be in the squad.
“The first half we felt comfortable, moved the ball quick and dominated, but a bit of concentration early in the second half let us down. After 10 minutes we got to grips with their shape and managed the game well.”
Nigeria fans in the 70,000 crowd, many wearing the new replica kit which sold out after three million pre-orders, cheered their side on to create a lively atmosphere. Victory left England boss Gareth Southgate pleased – but he had a pop at his attacking stars for not making it easier. He said: “It was a decent exercise for us, though of course you’d rather it was more comfortable. “I thought Raheem Sterling played well. The front four looked a threat. Slightly better decision-making in the final third, and we’d have scored more.”