Lallana hands Allardyce first England victory News

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Lallana hands Allardyce first England victory

By Daily Sports on September 5, 2016

Adam Lallana spared England’s embarrassment with an injury-time strike as Sam Allardyce’s reign started with victory in Slovakia.

England struggled to break Slovakia’s resistance in this opening World Cup qualifier – even when they were reduced to 10 men after captain Martin Skrtel’s 57th-minute dismissal for a foul on Harry Kane.

Allardyce claimed before the game that he might be satisfied with a draw against a Slovakian side who shut England out in a 0-0 group-stage draw at Euro 2016 - but that would not have been the case had they failed to profit from their numerical advantage in Trnava.

Lallana had been England’s best hope of a goal as he struck the post and forced a fine save from Slovakia keeper Matus Kozacik before his decisive intervention seconds from the final whistle.

Liverpool's midfield man had failed to score in his 26 previous England appearances but snatched the winner here as his low shot squeezed under Kozacik just as Slovakia thought they had survived a spell of sustained pressure near the end.

I can’t tell Rooney where to play —Allardyce

Sam Allardyce says it is “not for me to say where to play Wayne Rooney” after his England reign started with a narrow World Cup qualifying win in Slovakia.

England struggled to break 10-man Slovakia's resistance before Adam Lallana secured a 1-0 victory seconds from the final whistle.

“Wayne played wherever he wanted to. I can’t stop Wayne playing there,” said Allardyce.

Rooney, 30, is now his country’s most capped outfield player and is just nine more away from equalling Peter Shilton’s record of 125 England appearances.

Allardyce added: “I think that he holds a lot more experience at international football than me as an international manager.

“Using his experience with a team, and playing as a team member, it’s not for me to say where he’s going to play.

“It’s up to me to ask whether he’s doing well in that position, and contributing.

“I must admit, he did play a little deeper than I thought he'd play today, but I was pleased with his performance.”

Allardyce was critical of England’s finishing in Trnava and admitted he was getting “very concerned” before Lallana’s goal after Martin Skrtel had been sent off for the hosts.

“Slovakia just parked the bus. In fact they parked a double decker but we are going to have to be more clinical,” added Allardyce, who took over from Roy Hodgson in July.

“We’ve got Theo Walcott scoring for Arsenal and Adam Lallana scoring for Liverpool. Harry Kane hasn’t got one today so he is a bit slow off the mark while we know Daniel Sturridge can score. Wayne Rooney can score.

“Those players have to pop up and be a little bit more clinical in front of goal and make life a little bit easier for us.” (BBC)

•Photo shows goal scorer Adam Lallana.

Source Daily Sports

Posted September 5, 2016