Harry Winks passes England audition but sterner tests will be required to judge defensive hopefuls Harry Maguire and Aaron Cresswell

England closed a successful but uninspiring World Cup qualifying campaign with a familiar 1-0 win over Lithuania, with Harry Kane continuing his hot streak from the penalty spot.

With top spot already assured manager Gareth Southgate had hoped a side showing seven changes and two debutants, in Harry Winks and Harry Maguire, would entertain as well as win but this was another glum outing for a side lacking in magic.

Here Sportsmail's Rob Draper assesses the performances of Winks, Maguire and fringe player Aaron Cresswell.

Harry Kane gave England the lead with a 27th minute penalty following a foul on Dele Alli

Harry Kane gave England the lead with a 27th minute penalty following a foul on Dele Alli

Harry Winks


After a nervous opening ten minutes, he slowly grew in confidence and a was tidy presence, his head invariably up and looking for the right pass to play. Surged forwards at times but his prime asset is in understanding his role as link between the back three and two players in front of him. Almost was a dream debut when his decent strike on 52 minutes with forced a good save from Ernestas Setkus. An encouraging start. If he gets game time at Tottenham over the next six months, then he'll be looking at a place on the plane to Russia

Harry Winks was given a senior England cap, despite having made only four Tottenham starts

Harry Winks was given a senior England cap, despite having made only four Tottenham starts

 

Harry Maguire

It's hard to judge against an opposition so limited in ambition. But as he did with Hull last season and now with Leicester, he was quietly authoritative. Naturally his strength heading was to the fore, so much so that you wondered why Lithuania persisted sending long balls to Darvydas Sernas which he never won. If he gets game time against Brazil and Germany, he'll best tested on the ground by some of the best in the world, which is a more realistic audition for the World Cup

On debut Harry Maguire was quietly authoritative, his strength heading was to the fore

On debut Harry Maguire was quietly authoritative, his strength heading was to the fore

 

Aaron Cresswell

Not a debut but a first start for the West Ham left back. As befitted his role as a wing back, he was always available as an attacking option and was a frequent outlet for John Stones looking to play wide. Very nearly scored on 69 minutes when he met Jordan Henderson's cross with a fine header which was well saved. A satisfactory display but he'll do well to go to Russia ahead of Danny Rose and Ryan Bertrand 

The game was used as a chance for fringe players such as Aaron Cresswell to impress

The game was used as a chance for fringe players such as Aaron Cresswell to impress