Reigning European champions Spain assured they will be able to defend their title in France next summer as they mathematically confirmed their qualification for the finals with a 4-0 win against Luxembourg.
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England will qualify with a ideal record of ten wins from ten matches if they defeat the minnows, who are ranked 116th in the world.
Statistics like that start to show how well Ross Barkley has started this campaign, two goals and three assists in the league this year has already bettered his return from the 2014/15 season.
“We saw what he can do”, Hodgson said.
Gary Cahill – captaining the side in Rooney’s absence – then headed Lallana’s cross wide before Ats Purje had Estonia’s first sight of goal as his shot was blocked by the skipper.
“It’s now, this autumn, that we have him exclusively to ourselves”. We were a bit concerned with the flight and the artificial pitch [in Lithuania], so in a choice of taking him or Chris Smalling, I went with Smalling. “And when players feel good it’s a great opportunity to give them a chance”. “With Wayne out, he’s in pole position”. Theo Walcott scored against the Estonians but is expected to sit out the Lithuania game, so Harry Kane and Andros Townsend could feature.
England’s Raheem Sterling celebrates after scoring on Friday night against Estonia in Euro 2016 qualifying.
Walcott – the scorer of England’s opening goal just before half time – is still to assume that mantle for Arsenal almost 10 years after being thrust into the limelight.
Even so, Hodgson has used 31 different ones in this Euro 2016 campaign so far – which will rise to 33 if Kyle Walker also features, as expected, along with Butland – and he expressed surprise at the figure.
“Sometimes he’s been there, sometimes not”.
When asked if maintaining the record was now a matter of personal pride for the players, Chelsea defender Cahill replied: “For sure, but we don’t want to get too carried away with it. I’m pleased we didn’t”.
Hodgson took umbrage at Carragher’s criticism on the eve of the match in Vilnius. He missed the session on Thursday feeling his groin.
“I think you have to be careful with those sorts of comments”.
“If you’re comfortable on the ball, as players such as Wayne and Giggsy are you can do that”. “We believe he can”.
Nevertheless, the main highlight of the talented attacker’s night was probably his collection of mazy runs and dazzling dribbling.
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England manager Roy Hodgson told ITV: “It was as tough as we thought it would be because we have played against an organised team that are also quite intelligent in the way they play”.
