London: A trio of thundering headers gave England a thumping victory over their oldest foes as Scotland put up a fight before being swept aside 3-0 in Friday’s World Cup qualifier at the Wembley Stadium here.
Daniel Sturridge’s bullet header in the first half and equally impressive efforts after the break from Adam Lallana and Gary Cahill ensured England emerged from international football’s oldest fixture having consolidated their lead at the top of Group F.
While it was not the one-sided romp the scoreline suggests and England only pulled clear in the second half having survived some nervy moments, the result will have strengthened interim boss Gareth Southgate’s chances of claiming the role on a permanent basis.
“Tonight (Friday) is down to the players they have shown what they are capable of,” Southgate told reporters – although he was equally keen to stress his side had almost been the architects of their own downfall when Scotland put them under pressure in the second half.
Scotland coach Gordon Strachan, whose side’s chance of qualifying for Russia look quite bleak, had made sweeping changes to the side that lost to Slovakia in their previous qualifier and had clearly set his team up to make England uncomfortable and it was a gameplan that worked to perfection until the 24th minute.
A sprawling Scottish defender blocked Raheem Sterling’s shot, but the ball fell kindly for Kyle Walker whose driven cross was angled superbly into the net by a stooping Sturridge.
But in spite of taking the lead, England handed over midfield possession to Scotland, who would have restored parity had not Grant Hanley headed hopelessly over the bar when completely unmarked.
That was the first of a series of let-offs for England, who survived two heart-in-mouth moments at the start of the second half when James Forrest pulled a shot hideously wide from 10 metres and Robert Snodgrass had one blocked from a similar range.
Within moments, however, England put the encounter to bed. Danny Rose’s cross from the left found Adam Lallana on the penalty spot to head powerfully past Craig Gordon.
England’s third arrived on 60 minutes as Wayne Rooney’s corner found Cahill, who flashed his near-post header past Gordon and into the far corner.
Reuters
