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England 2 Slovakia 1

England 2 Slovakia 1: Goals from Marcus Rashford and Eric Dier gift Gareth Southgate vital three points in Group F

The Three Lions fell behind to an early goal from Stanislav Lobotka, but England rallied back at Wembley in the World Cup qualifier

BEFORE anybody goes OTT, it is too soon to compare him with Michael Owen or Wayne Rooney. For now.

Still, in an important World Cup qualifier against Slovakia, Wembley Stadium was Marcus Rashford’s playground.

 Stanislav Lobotka netted an early goal for Slovakia against Wembley after a mistake by Marcus Rashford
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Stanislav Lobotka netted an early goal for Slovakia against Wembley after a mistake by Marcus RashfordCredit: Reuters
 Tottenham ace Eric Dier equalised for England in a crucial World Cup qualifier
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Tottenham ace Eric Dier equalised for England in a crucial World Cup qualifierCredit: Reuters

The teenage Manchester United forward deserves top billing for his powers of recovery more than anything.

It was Rashford’s mistake that led to Slovakia scoring after just three minutes when he ran into trouble in a congested midfield.

The 19-year-old shrugged it off, as all young players seem to do, and went on to hit a fabulous winner after 59 minutes.

Good on him, good on England.

They are off the hook, still leading Group F after a shaky opening half-hour that left them wondering if they would need a play-off to reach the World Cup.

They have nothing to worry about now.

 The Manc hester United man looks dejected after England succumbed to an early goal after his mistake
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The Manc hester United man looks dejected after England succumbed to an early goal after his mistakeCredit: Rex Features
 Slovakia celebrate after they raced into a shock lead in just the third minute
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Slovakia celebrate after they raced into a shock lead in just the third minuteCredit: AP:Associated Press
 The Three Lions got back on level terms in the closing stages of the first half
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The Three Lions got back on level terms in the closing stages of the first halfCredit: AFP or licensors

Rashford has seen to that, having also sent in the corner that led to Eric Dier’s improvised equaliser after 37 minutes.

This was a better, much improved England from the side who plodded to victory in Malta last Friday.

To come from behind on home soil, when the pressure is starting to ramp up on the national side, deserves credit.

They were even stringing passes together in the build-up to Rashford’s winner. Only three, but it is a start.

Dele Alli made the interception, Dier moved the ball on to Jordan Henderson, Henderson set Rashford free. It all looked very easy.

Rashford finished it, putting some dip on his effort to make sure it beat Slovakia keeper Martin Dubravka.

He was entitled to his extravagant, knee-sliding celebrations in front of England’s supporters.

Rashford atoned for his error, the mistake that led to Slovakia’s early opener.

 Eric Dier reacts after finding the back of the net with a sumptuous finish
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Eric Dier reacts after finding the back of the net with a sumptuous finishCredit: Rex Features
 Gareth Southgate's men celebrate after Eric Dier found the back of the net in the 37th minute
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Gareth Southgate's men celebrate after Eric Dier found the back of the net in the 37th minuteCredit: Reuters

Three minutes in and the nightmare scenario was unfolding as the visitors silenced Wembley Stadium with Stanislav Lobotka’s strike.

Rashford must take responsibility after running into trouble when he tried to dribble his way out of danger. Inexperience cost him.

Lobotka played a razor-sharp one-two, with Adam Nemec flicking the sweetest of assists over the top of England’s defence.

That set Celta Vigo midfielder Lobotka free and he drew Joe Hart off his line before finding the corner of the net with a lovely side-foot finish.

This had shades of Croatia 2007 about it, when the Wally with a Brolly blew our chances of qualifying for the Euros the following year.

Gareth Southgate’s players were stodgy, second to everything as Slovakia settled into this qualifier at break-neck speed.

England have to be ready. They were nowhere near. They can be so sloppy in possession, the one skill they are obsessed with mastering under the FA’s ludicrous DNA programme.

Until Rashford got going they were careless and cautious.

 Marcus Rashford netted in the second half for England with a fine strike from outside the box
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Marcus Rashford netted in the second half for England with a fine strike from outside the boxCredit: Reuters

Old Trafford hero Rash, shoved out on the right at the start, had an eventful half. He carved open a couple of chances - both saved by Dubravka - before his corner led to Dier’s equaliser.

The Spurs midfielder showed ingenuity, making his run to the near post and meeting Rashford’s corner with a clever flick to leave Dubravka stranded as the ball sailed into the net.

It will be especially satisfying for Harry Kane because he could well have gone down in the area when tackled in the build-up to the corner kick.

Honest guy that he is, Kane stayed on his feet. By then England were dominating, with Rashford always threatening to do something when on the ball.

His clever flick at the start of the second half to tee-up Dele on the edge of the area was another classy touch. By then England had been fortunate to escape when Gary Cahill’s clumsy touch allowed former Manchester City winger Vladimir Weiss to wriggle clear.

Cahill owes Kyle Walker a pint for getting him off the hook with a challenge on the edge of the box - even if replays showed that interception to be a clumsy foul which went unpunished.

Lobotov had another chance, forcing a save out of Hart when Marek Hamsik set him up with a delicious chip ten minutes into the second half.

Beyond that, this was England’s for the taking. Kane carved a chance for Dele on 56 minutes, working his way through the Slovakia defence. But in the end it came down to Rashford. He went to Euro 2016 as a wildcard, picked by Roy Hodgson after scoring just minutes into his debut against Australia.

When he switched wings with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to play on the left, he was electrifying.

That was the catalyst for this exhilarating display, beating Dubravka from range with an impressive finish.

Southgate took him off five minutes from time, giving the 67,000 inside the stadium the chance to salute this new star. Unquestionably, he deserved it.

STATS, FACTS, GOALS & LOLS

  • Before Stanislav Lobotka's early goal, Slovakia's last goal against England was back in June 2003 in a Euro 2004 qualifier.
  • England are on their best run at Wembley - they have now won their last 13 competitive matches, a run that streteches back to October 2012.
  • The Three Lions carried on their excellent home record in World Cup qualifiers - their last defeat was against Germany in a 1-0 loss in October 2000 -  Dietmar Hamann with the only goal.
  • Slovakia's last away victory against a home nation was in 2009 when they beat Northern Ireland 2-0 at Windsor Park.
  • Jordan Henderson has recorded more assists under Gareth Southgate than any other player -  four - and three in his last three games.
 The Manchester United star slides on his knees in celebration as he makes amends for early mistake
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The Manchester United star slides on his knees in celebration as he makes amends for early mistakeCredit: Reuters
  • Marcus Rashford faced the wrath of England fans after he was booed for his mistake after Lobotka lashed home the opener.
  • The Manchester United now has provided back-to-back assists for England after his corner found Eric Dier.
  • Before England fell behind- they had not conceded in their past seven competitive matches at home.
  • Rashford netted his first Wembley goal - and his first strike since netting on his debut against Australia.
  • Dier's equaliser was the the seventh goal in the previous eight a Tottenham player had been involved in, in all competitions.

WHAT THEY SAID

England boss Gareth Southgate told ITV: "To come from behind against a side with very good footballers, particularly in midfield, we had to show character.

"Marcus Rashford showed, like the rest of the team, great character. He made the mistake for their goal but he kept persevering. A lot was said to me about the crowd and they were brilliant tonight and that was a huge importance to the team."

England goalscorer Eric Dier said: "We started poorly and I am happy to get a goal that kickstarted the game for us. We were in control for most of the game then.

"It is hard to put a finger on it. We weren't aggressive enough and were two seconds behind them in every pass. The way we turned it around was positive.

"I had belief. When we went 1-1 we went in to the dressing room and the feeling was we would go on to win.

"We want to have a relationship with the fans. We need their support and want to play in a way that gets that."

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