Veteran Defoe rolls back years to net opener in England win

Jermain Defoe struggled to keep his emotions in check as he made his return to the England team after an absence of more than three years.

The Sunderland attacker marked his Wembley return with the opening goal in England’s 2-0 win over Lithuania in their World Cup qualifying Group F match.

“I enjoyed it, it’s been a good week,” said the 34-year-old, who led the team out alongside Bradley Lowery – the terminally ill five-year-old Sunderland supporter with whom he has formed such a bond.

“It’s hard to put into words really,” said Defoe. “I had to keep my emotions (under control), obviously little Brad was with me.

“You can imagine how I felt doing that, it was special.

“Just to be back playing with the lads was a great feeling.”

England manager Gareth Southgate, whose side tops Group F with 13 points from five games, was not entirely satisfied with the performance.

“We’d have liked a bit more, but I think really only one team came to win the game and it’s always difficult to break down a packed defence,” he said.

“I’m pleased for the two lads who have got the goals, a great story for Jermain and I felt Jamie added something to us.” Asked about the areas for improvement, Southgate said: “I think today just moving the ball a bit quicker, more runs in behind, and we’ve got individual players whowill play better than they did today.

“We kept pushing, it’s not as if we took our foot off the gas.”