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Everything Gareth Southgate learned as disappointing England secure drab win over Malta
England may have claimed their sixth win in seven qualifying matches, but the performance against Malta was not one that will live long in the memory
England sealed their place at the top of Group C with a 2-0 victory over Malta - but it was not a performance that fans will recall with glee.
Malta defender Enrico Pepe gave the Three Lions the lead by accidentally diverting Phil Foden's cut-back into his own net. Gareth Southgate's side were then almost embarrassed when Paul Mbong fired an effort just wide of the goal.
In the second-half, England managed to turn the screw when substitutes Kyle Walker and Bukayo Saka, combined with Phil Foden on the edge of the box, before the latter cut the ball back for Harry Kane to convert from close range. After a drab evening at Wembley, Daily Star Sport considers what Southgate may have learned from that game.
You would not need to look at the team sheet to see it was a relatively experimental team. Most of the Three Lions' attacks were clunky, disjointed and looked like they were being made up on the hoof.
There did not appear to be any specific area in the Malta defence England were targeting or any real pattern of play. Southgate and his team have made international football fun for the players and the fans.
However, there is still a lot more room for improvement, before anybody starts talking about winning Euro 2024.
Fikayo Tomori being deployed at left-back was an eyebrow raising decision from Southgate. Yet, with Ben Chilwell, Luke Shaw and Levi Colwill all injured and Trippier being deployed at right-back, there was a huge lack of options on the left side of the defence.
Tomori is not a left-back and that was evident in the AC Milan defender's performance. After watching the ex-Chelsea man struggle, do not be surprised if Southgate starts paying more attention to Tyrick Mitchell.
In the 2018 World Cup, four of England's goals came from set-pieces. The Three Lions caused absolute havoc with their routines, including the iconic 'Love Train.'
However, something seems off with England's routines. The delivery kept on hitting the first man and there did not appear to be much movement in the penalty area. There does not look to be any fear when England get a dead ball routine.
Yet, James Ward-Prowse, a man once described by Pep Guardiola as the best set-piece taker he has ever seen, continues to sit at home. Maybe it is time for Southgate to recall the West Ham man.
If this evening is anything to go by, then England may be relying on Jude Bellingham. As the Maltese defence formed their expected two banks of four, England looked devoid of ideas of how to get through.
Against Italy, Bellingham grabbed the ball, threaded a pass to Kane who then flicked it into the Real Madrid man's path, before he was scythed down in the penalty area. With the Wembley crowd seemingly rendered silent by complete and utter boredom, England lacked the spark and energy Bellingham brings into every match.
There is far too much talent in this England team for a country's hopes to be pinned on Bellingham. Others need to step-up or Southgate must find a way of setting up which empowers others on the pitch.
Daily Star Sunday
England may have claimed their sixth win in seven qualifying matches, but the performance against Malta was not one that will live long in the memory
England sealed their place at the top of Group C with a 2-0 victory over Malta - but it was not a performance that fans will recall with glee.
Malta defender Enrico Pepe gave the Three Lions the lead by accidentally diverting Phil Foden's cut-back into his own net. Gareth Southgate's side were then almost embarrassed when Paul Mbong fired an effort just wide of the goal.
In the second-half, England managed to turn the screw when substitutes Kyle Walker and Bukayo Saka, combined with Phil Foden on the edge of the box, before the latter cut the ball back for Harry Kane to convert from close range. After a drab evening at Wembley, Daily Star Sport considers what Southgate may have learned from that game.
You would not need to look at the team sheet to see it was a relatively experimental team. Most of the Three Lions' attacks were clunky, disjointed and looked like they were being made up on the hoof.
There did not appear to be any specific area in the Malta defence England were targeting or any real pattern of play. Southgate and his team have made international football fun for the players and the fans.
However, there is still a lot more room for improvement, before anybody starts talking about winning Euro 2024.
Fikayo Tomori being deployed at left-back was an eyebrow raising decision from Southgate. Yet, with Ben Chilwell, Luke Shaw and Levi Colwill all injured and Trippier being deployed at right-back, there was a huge lack of options on the left side of the defence.
Tomori is not a left-back and that was evident in the AC Milan defender's performance. After watching the ex-Chelsea man struggle, do not be surprised if Southgate starts paying more attention to Tyrick Mitchell.
In the 2018 World Cup, four of England's goals came from set-pieces. The Three Lions caused absolute havoc with their routines, including the iconic 'Love Train.'
However, something seems off with England's routines. The delivery kept on hitting the first man and there did not appear to be much movement in the penalty area. There does not look to be any fear when England get a dead ball routine.
Yet, James Ward-Prowse, a man once described by Pep Guardiola as the best set-piece taker he has ever seen, continues to sit at home. Maybe it is time for Southgate to recall the West Ham man.
If this evening is anything to go by, then England may be relying on Jude Bellingham. As the Maltese defence formed their expected two banks of four, England looked devoid of ideas of how to get through.
Against Italy, Bellingham grabbed the ball, threaded a pass to Kane who then flicked it into the Real Madrid man's path, before he was scythed down in the penalty area. With the Wembley crowd seemingly rendered silent by complete and utter boredom, England lacked the spark and energy Bellingham brings into every match.
There is far too much talent in this England team for a country's hopes to be pinned on Bellingham. Others need to step-up or Southgate must find a way of setting up which empowers others on the pitch.
Daily Star Sunday