Liverpool boys with an impression against Scotland / Image via yallascore.com
Three goals against their fierce rivals Scotland at Wembley made for a compelling evening for Gareth Southgate, who asserted his position at helm with a huge, highly important victory.
Daniel Sturridge, Adam Lallana and Gary Cahill scored three headers to make it 10 points from four games for England and here you can read our in-depth match report starting from the team guide, match round-up and statistical overview:
Form Guide
Gareth Southgate has might just elongated his stay at England’s helm for quite a while having managed seven points from three games in charge.
Young boss’ brave approach paid off and is yielding tangible results after the embarrassing episode in France and even more humiliating Sam Allardyce scandal. England look in great shape and are deservedly sitting on top of Group F after four FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.
On the other side, Gordon Strachan is risking losing his job after another disappointing result. Having failed to qualify for the Euro 2016 this summer, Scotland are heading towards another unsuccessful capmaign as things stand at the moment.
The compelling 3-0 defeat at the hands of England has put the Tartan Army in fifth place with only four points next to their name.
First Half
There have been few chances in the first half as England and Scotland opened another chapter in their long-standing rivalry.
It is never a friendly game between two neighbouring countries and it was exactly like from the off, with both teams falling victims to great desire.
Less than a convincing display during the opening 45 minutes was given the highlight moment after 24 minutes when Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge met Kyle Walker’s neat cross with a sharp header to send the ball into the far corner.
Sturridge got his head on the ball superbly to steer it in past the helpless Gordon and to open the scoring and break the deadlock.
Scotland have harried England well and came close to scoring just three minutes after conceding when Hanley was left completely alone at the back post for a corner kick. All he did however was to nod the ball over the crossbar with a disappointing finish.
Griffits also had another nice chance to put one in having played a two-on-one with Snodgrass, but his shot towards goal was an easy stop for Joe Hart.
England have, disappointingly, showed little to nothing aside their goal in the first half. The had a good chance to double the score through a free kick, but Wayne Rooney’s effort clipped the top of the wall and went close over the crossbar.
Second Half
Gareth Southgate must have had an inspiring half-time talk as England came out a different team in the second time.
Completely dominating the play, the Three Lions controlled the proceedings and went on to score two more goals to put their foot firmly on Gordon Strachan’s neck.
Scotland did open the second term with two chances to get back in the game, but as it usually happens the Tartan Army was punished for their missed opportunities.
Six minutes inside the second half and it was another header for England, and another goal.
Another Liverpool man got his name on the score sheet as Adam Lallana steers a fantastic effort into the far corner following a neat team play. It was not the best of a chance, but England have been clinical and used all of the chances they got to score.
Scotland were already on their knees when England made it 3-0 on the hour mark.
Chelsea defender Gary Cahill glanced Rooney’s corner into the far corner with another header on the occasion. Three headers, three goals and three points were quite an achievement at that point for Gareth Southgate who couldn’t hide his smile on the bench.
Three-goal margin was fairly harsh on Scotland, but unlike their rivals England have taken all of their chances, whereas the visiting team was left undone for most part of the game.
The Three lions got a bit more relaxed after their third goal and were playing with more fluency and freedom upfront, much to the excitement of the roaring crowd. After 70 minutes in the game the result could have easily been 4-0 for England should Raheem Sterling had not missed an absolute sitter after Henderson’s whipped cross into the box, only a yard from the goal.
Significantly improved performance from England was on display in the second half as Southgate’s men asserted themselves on top of the game for a great win in the end.
Statistical Overview
- England scored all 3 goals from 3 headers
- The Three Lions are now unbeaten in 33 international qualifiers
- Scotland have lost 8 of the last 10 meetings with England
- England held 64% of the possession to Scotland’s 36%
- Scotland made 7 shots off target to England’s 1
ENGLAND: Hart 6.5 – Walker 7, Cahill 7.5, Stones 7, Rose 7 – Henderson 7.5, Dier 7 – Sterling 7, Rooney 7, Lallana 7.5 – Sturridge 7.5 (Vardy 6)
Unused subs: Bertrand, Clyne, Heaton, Jagielka, Kane, Lingard, Pickford, Rashford, Townsend, Walcott, Wilshere
SCOTLAND: Gordon 6 – Anya 6 (Paterson 6), Wallace 6, Hanley 6, Berra 6 – Brown 6, Fletcher 6.5 – Morrison 6 (McArthur 6), Snodgrass 6.5 (Ritchie 6), Forrest 6 – Griffiths 6.5
Unused subs: Bannan, Burke, Fletcher S., Hamilton, Kingsley, Marshall, Martin C., Martin R., Naismith,
REFEREE: Cuneyt Cakir
Other results this evening
Armenia 3-2 Montenegro
Czech Republic 2-1 Norway
Denmark 4-1 Kazakhstan
France 2-1 Sweden
Malta 0-1 Slovenia
Northern Ireland 4-0 Azerbaijan
Romania 0-3 Poland
San Marino 0-8 Germany
Slovakia 4-0 Lithuania
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