World Cup Qualifying, Group F
ENGLAND 2 LITHUANIA 0

GARETH Southgate said Jermain Defoe’s return to international football was a “great story”, as the former Spurs forward marked his first cap in four years with the opening goal in England’s 2-0 win over Lithuania.

“It was a great moment for him,” said coach Southgate.

“Jermain is thrilled to be back in the squad. He is a good, senior professional, and is a positive impact on a young England team.”

Defoe left White Hart Lane in 2014 to join Toronto FC. Clearly too good for the MLS, he soon returned to the Premier League, where he almost single-handedly saved his new club Sunderland from relegation last season.

The Three Lions, whose slick, fast play unsettled Germany in midweek, were slow and laboured in an otherwise routine victory against the Baltic minnows.

“We would have liked to have scored more goals and we could have moved the ball around a lot quicker,” admitted Southgate.

Defoe had opened the scoring in the 21st minute when he side-footed home from a Raheem Sterling cross.

England gorged on possession, but failed to create enough chances to enthuse the subdued crowd.

Although Lithuania defended deep, they became more adventurous as the game wore on.

The outcome of the game was put to bed by substitute Jamie Vardy, who converted a slide-rule pass from Adam Lallana on 66 minutes.

For Southgate, it was “job done”, but he admitted England are not the finished article.

“There is still plenty to do, but we improve with every game,” he added.

England have a comfortable four-point lead at the top of the group, but have only scored eight goals in their five games to date.

And now with 20 goals in 56 games for the national team, could Defoe be the surprise addition to a young squad heading for Russia 2018?

ENGLAND: Hart, Walker, Keane, Stones, Bertrand, Dier, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sterling (Rashford, 60), Alli, Lallana, Defoe (Vardy, 60).
Attendance: 77,690.