England 2 Malta 0: Five things we learnt from Gareth Southgate’s first game in charge as 81,000 watch the Three Lions win
WAYNE ROONEY lacked confidence with a number of misplaced passes but the future is bright for Dele Alli
INTERIM England boss Gareth Southgate oversaw the Three Lions score just the two goals against minnows Malta in his first game as manager.
Daniel Sturridge opened the scoring before Dele Alli doubled the lead before the break but in truth England could have had more.
Opposition keeper Andrew Hogg made a string of wonderful saves but England lacked intensity and creativity as the game went on.
SunSport brings you five things we learnt from England's World Cup qualifying win.
Wayne Rooney lacking any confidence
Although facing a side ranked 176 in the world rankings, Rooney needed to impress on the big stage having been dropped at Manchester United.
The skipper was deployed in a deep midfield role with the idea for him to spread the play and pick out passes to create openings whilst Dele Alli looked to get into the box.
But unfortunately for Rooney his confidence looks like it has hit rock bottom - his forward passes lacked direction and he wasn't moving the ball quickly enough.
Dele Alli is England's future at No.10
Scorer of England's second, Alli's movement caused the defence all sorts of problems on numerous occasions.
The Tottenham midfielder was determined to get into the box and create chances but his link up play was also encouraging.
No more chopping and changing, whoever is England manager in the future needs to stick with Alli in that role.
Gareth Southgate has a tough decision to make over Eric Dier
With Eric Dier coming back into the first team frame, Southgate has a huge decision to make ahead of the clash in Slovenia.
Slovenia will undoubtedly pose more of a threat going forward and Dier will protect the defence but that means somebody will have to come out of the team.
Alli looked bright in the No.10 role and Jordan Henderson offered the legs in midfield but will Southgate drop Rooney?
England fans still have the appetite for international football
After a comical summer where England were knocked out to Iceland at Euro 2016 and then the embarrassment of Sam Allardyce losing his job after one match, supporters scould be excused if there was a poor attendance against Malta.
But 81,000 fans showed up at Wembley meaning supporters haven't given up on the national team just yet.
Jesse Lingard should start against Slovenia
Question marks were raised over his inclusion but the debutant was one of the best players on the pitch and just lacked a goal.
Starting on the left of the attacking three, Lingard cut inside and made intelligent runs to leave the full back clueless at times.
He had a number of great opportunities but his finishing was the only aspect of his game that let him down.
Expect Southgate to start the 23-year-old against Slovenia.