Solid start for Southgate

Gareth Southgate’s first game in interim charge of England ended in victory as Malta were beaten 2-0 at Wembley on Saturday.

Daniel Sturridge and Dele Alli did the damage with two goals inside nine first-half minutes as England enjoyed a second successive victory in World Cup qualifying and moved to the top of Group F.

The evening was as comfortable as Southgate might have expected against a side ranked 176th in the world, and the result, which comes 11 days after Sam Allardyce left the England job, will come as a welcome relief after a turbulent period for the national team.

Southgate has taken over as caretaker England boss for four matches and made a big call by handing Manchester United forward Jesse Lingard his international debut in an attack that also featured the recalled Theo Walcott and Sturridge, with Wayne Rooney playing in a midfield role.

Ryan Bertrand was selected at left-back but his afternoon came to a premature end in the 19th minute when he pulled up injured and was replaced by Danny Rose, who himself had only just recovered from a hamstring strain.

That blow came during an opening spell in which England were frustrated by the minnows of Malta who played five at the back and …

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