Allardyce now joins a list including his predecessor Roy Hodgson, Sven Goran Eriksson and Kevin Keegan of the last nine permanent England managers to win their opening game, although the current boss admits there is work to do.
Advertisement
A last-gasp Adam Lallana victor secured all three points in another disappointing England performance, but ultimately it would have been a relief and source of great joy for Allardyce to start with a win. Northern Ireland held the Czech Republic to a goalless draw in Prague, where Karel Jarolim endured a frustrating debut in charge of the hosts.
England fans watch in frustration from the stands during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying match at the City Arena, Trnava. England hadn’t been fantastic, but they rarely are.
Ruslan Gurbanov’s goal just before half-time saw Azerbaijan get their campaign off to a winning start with a 1-0 victory over 10-man San Marino, who had Cristian Brolli sent off early in the second half, and the Czech Republic drew 0-0 with Northern Ireland.
Thanks to Lallana’s late, late victor, three points represents an excellent start.
Moments later, England should have been in front when Walker arrowed in a low cross but Spurs teammate Kane, seemingly poised to sidefoot home some six yards out, failed to make contact.
Rooney has nearly 200 Premier League goals to his name, has a sizeable collection of trophies and individual accolades, and has been considered England’s best player on paper for many years.
These are long-term aspirations which will not be established after one get-together.
There were other chances – or half-chances – Rooney with the first official shot on target with a low effort that almost took Kozacik by surprise, but the moment seemed to have passed. Allardyce has been brought in to do what he did on Sunday: get the job done.
Sam Allardyce: “It was nerve-racking towards the end”.
Having not netted in his first 26 England appearances, Lallana finally found a finish and for Allardyce, celebrating passionately on the touchline, the timing was flawless.
England began life under Sam Allardyce with a first-half display against Slovakia that showed numerous hallmarks of their doomed Euro 2016 campaign. That meant as a No. 10 in a 4-2-3-1.
Instead Hart scuffed his kick to a Slovakian shirt and was forced to scramble back to his line in anticipation of a shot that never materialised.
On the occasion of his 116th cap, breaking David Beckham’s outfield record, he was surprisingly asked to perform a deep-lying midfield role.
Advertisement
“It was a bit slow and edgy at the start but we stuck to our game plan and kept playing our football, and a clean sheet and late win is a good result in the end”.
