Gareth Southgate reckons England have put down a “great marker” after starting their World Cup campaign with a sensational opening win.
But while Southgate’s team hammered Iran 6-2 in the Khalifa International Stadium, the England manager actually said he was “a bit fed up” after allowing Iran to score two late goals.
England’s performance, though, sent an emphatic message to ALL their World Cup rivals and Southgate agreed, saying: “It is a great marker to put down. We have some good players and today we really delivered.
“Our attacking players looked a threat, our defence, in the first hour, controlled the game, the midfield were excellent and our forwards looked a threat. We looked ready.”
Two goals from Bukayo Saka and one apiece for Jude Bellingham, Raheem Sterling and substitutes Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish got England’s tournament off to a flying start but Southgate was not happy with allowing Iran on to the scoresheet. And he insists England will have to step up a gear in their meeting with the United States on Friday.
He said: “I'm a bit fed up with the end of it. To win by that margin and play the way we did for the majority of the game we have to be really happy. But we should not be conceding two goals at that stage in the game.
"We will have to be right on our game against the USA. It is a great start but we have to be better. There are things we need to do better if we are going to progress to the latter stages. I’m a miserable so-and-so. I should be more excited but I have to keep the team on the right track."
Harry Maguire had to be replaced 20 minutes from time, looking in some distress, but Southgate said his centre-half was just feeling a little sick and he also insisted that Harry Kane did not have a problem even though he was limping after the match.
