Published: 18 November, 2015
by PAUL COWLING at Wembley Stadium 

International Friendly
ENGLAND 2, FRANCE 0

IT was never going to be about the match or the result, but a wonder goal and stand-out performance from Tottenham’s Deli Alli gave England an impressive win on an emotionally charged night at Wembley on Tuesday evening.

England coach Roy Hodgson said he wasn’t surprised by Alli's “top class” display. “I have seen him play like that for Spurs. It was a bold decision to start him, but if I didn’t think he was capable, I would’t have played him from the start,” he said.

“'It was a near faultless performance. He was top class and he deserves a lot of praise.”

In the 39th minute, Alli charged down a 50-50 ball and moments later latched on to a pass from Wayne Rooney to fire into the top corner of the net, with his Spurs team-mate and French captain, Hugo Lloris, well-beaten.

Alli was at it again in the 48th minute, dispossessing substitute Paul Pogba. He then picked out Raheem Sterling, who set up Rooney to volley past Lloris and double England’s lead. 

“I hope Deli can continue to learn the game without too much glare in the spotlight,” added Hodgson, mindful that too much might be expected too soon of the Spurs youngster.

It was an impressive all-round performance from a youthful England side that also included Spurs duo Harry Kane and Eric Dier, as well as Arsenal’s Kieran Gibbs. Hodgson said he was proud of England’s performance, which showed maturity beyond its years. 

“It was a young team who played with composure. There was good movement and passing, and we defended well,” he said.

The French players’ minds were, perhaps unsurprisingly, not totally on the match, given the horrors of Paris on Friday. Hodgson paid tribute to the 71,000 crowd, whose response to events made it a real privilege to be at the game. 

“The fans played their part on a very poignant occasion,” he added.

ENGLAND: Hart (Butland, 46), Clyne, Stones, Cahill, Gibbs, Dier, Alli (Jones, 87), Barkley (Shelvey, 79), Rooney, Sterling (Lallana, 67), Kane (Bertrand, 79).
Attendance: 71,223.