'Sterile' England worthy winners over Slovenia, says Roy Hodgson
Wayne Rooney scores on his 100th appearance as some of the continent’s minnows again enjoy outstanding results
England manager Roy Hodgson conceded his side played some “sterile” football but still felt they were worthy winners after recovering to beat Slovenia 3-1 in their Euro 2016 group E qualifier at Wembley on Saturday.
England and reigning champions Spain both secured home victories in qualifying as some of the continent’s minnows again enjoyed outstanding results.
It was a good day in the end. We had to show character and that will be good for us in the team
On a Wembley pitch scarred from last weekend’s NFL game between Jacksonville Jaguars and Dallas Cowboys, an insipid England failed to get anywhere near Slovenia’s “end zone” in the first half and fell behind in the 57th minute when Jordan Henderson headed Milivoje Novakovic’s free kick past Joe Hart.
Striker Wayne Rooney, celebrating his 100th cap, got England out of jail two minutes later, converting a penalty after being fouled in the box and Danny Welbeck completed the turnaround for Hodgson’s men with a quickfire double.
"Games last 90 minutes and you don’t always get exactly what you want from the first minute," Hodgson said.
"I thought in the first half we dominated but it was a little bit sterile at times. We weren’t getting the penetration or creating the clear-cut chances.