Lithuania 0 England 1: Harry Kane scores from the penalty spot but Gareth Southgate’s young Three Lions side fail to impress in rain-soaked Vilnius
THEY are the Harry Kane team.
Pep was the first to call it, christening Tottenham with the unflattering title after Kane scored 13 times for club and country in September.
Harry Kane made no mistake from the spot having buried it on the bottom keeperReutersEngland’s Dele Alli was bundled to the floor in the first half to win a penaltyReuters
England are utterly, totally, worryingly dependant on him as well.
The country’s captain scored the 94th minute winner against Slovenia last Friday to book England’s place at the World Cup.
Kane scored again here, his seventh in his last six internationals, as England finished off their qualifying campaign.
They are pinning their hopes on one man. There is no alternative.
Harry Kane has now scored 15 goals in his last 10 matches in all competitions for club and countryReutersThe Three Lions celebrate in front of the soaked travelling fansReutersHarry Winks was making his international debut in the disappointing victoryReutersIt is believed Gareth Southgate selected England’s youngest starting XI since the late 1950sPA:Press AssociationEngland remain so reliant on striker Harry Kane after hitting the target yet againReuters
The goal came from the spot, despatched with class and composure after Dele Alli had been tripped by Lithuania full back Linas Klimavicius.
Kane made no mistake from the spot in the 27th minute.
He is the only hope England have.
All those changes, with head coach Gareth Southgate giving caps to Harry Maguire and little Harry Winks, was a bold move.
The travelling England supporters were given little to cheer in a dross affairAFP or licensorsJack Butland was handed a rare start and was forced to make an impressive save to deny Michael Keane from scoring an own goalAFP or licensorsGareth Southgate has much work ahead if England are to do anything in RussiaPA:Press Association
This latest formation, with England playing 3-4-3, gives the impression it is all down tactics.
The reality is that is about the personnel.
Lithuania rarely threatened, but Jack Butland did make a decent save when England defender Michael Keane nearly put through his own net in the 54th minute.
England were ordinary again here, with Marcus Rashford and Winks standing out on another mediocre England night.
Daniel Sturridge was brought on to spark some inspiration into England’s performanceReutersEngland manager Gareth Southgate cut a frustrated figure at the full-time whistleReuters
Winks, wearing Mike Tyson-style mid-cut black ankle boots, forced a flying save from Lithuania keeper Ernestas Setkus at the start of the second half.
Setkus saved well again when Aaron Creswell’s header forced him across goal to prevent England scoring a second.
Beyond that, this was yet another bang average performance.
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