Henderson admits England ‘got sloppy’
Date published: Saturday 8th October 2016 7:56
Jordan Henderson says England need to find their killer touch for the rest of the World Cup qualifying campaign after missing a host of chances in a 2-0 victory over minnows Malta.
Goals from Daniel Sturridge and Dele Alli got Gareth Southgate’s interim reign off to a winning start at Wembley.
However, Liverpool captain Henderson accepts there is still plenty to work on despite making it two wins from two games in Group F.
Speaking to ITV, Henderson said: “We had chances for it to be more, so that’s the one disappointment in the game; that we didn’t get more goals.
“I felt as though we got a little sloppy as the game went on, which we need to work on, but overall it’s good to get the three points.”
Alli was guilty of missing some of the opportunities, and the Tottenham midfielder accepts he should have added to his first-half effort.
He said: “I do like to get into the box and get goals and assists and I can’t complain, the chances were there, I just needed to be a little bit more clinical.
“It was a solid performance from the boys, we started strongly, we kept the ball and we dominated and it’s a good base to keep working on.”
Andrew Hogg: Man of the match vs England – Rating 8.52, Saves 8, Good High Claims 2, Accurate Long Balls 10, Clearances 2 #ENGMAL pic.twitter.com/jQ45KMO46m
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) October 8, 2016
Malta’s Surrey-born goalkeeper Andrew Hogg put in an impressive display to help keep the score down for his side – ranked 176th in the world.
He said: “I just do my job, it was a good game, I’m happy.
“We have to be realistic, we have played against some of the best players in the world today, we have to be satisfied. We have gained some respect.”
England face Slovenia on Tuesday looking to maintain their perfect start, at least on the field, to the qualifying campaign.
Southgate said: “We could and should have had more goals, but their goalkeeper has made some very good saves.
“Subconsciously one or two looked after themselves physically in the second half, but given where we were 10 days ago I’m pleased with the result.”
Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs has replaced the injured Ryan Bertrand in the squad which will travel to Slovenia looking to make it three wins from as many matches.
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