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Lithuania 0 England 1: Harry Kane scores from the penalty spot but Gareth Southgate’s young Three Lions side fail to impress in rain-soaked Vilnius

It was another dross showing by England who ended their World Cup qualification campaign unbeaten. Gareth Southgate opted to pick one of the youngest teams ever with the average age of just over 24.

THEY are the Harry Kane team.

Pep was the first to call it, christening Tottenham with the unflattering title after Kane scored 13 times for club and country in September.

 Harry Kane made no mistake from the spot having buried it on the bottom keeper
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Harry Kane made no mistake from the spot having buried it on the bottom keeperCredit: Reuters
 England's Dele Alli was bundled to the floor in the first half to win a penalty
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England's Dele Alli was bundled to the floor in the first half to win a penaltyCredit: Reuters

England are utterly, totally, worryingly dependant on him as well.

The country’s captain scored the 94th minute winner against Slovenia last Friday to book England’s place at the World Cup.

Kane scored again here, his seventh in his last six internationals, as England finished off their qualifying campaign.

They are pinning their hopes on one man. There is no alternative.

 Harry Kane has now scored 15 goals in his last 10 matches in all competitions for club and country
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Harry Kane has now scored 15 goals in his last 10 matches in all competitions for club and countryCredit: Reuters
 The Three Lions celebrate in front of the soaked travelling fans
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The Three Lions celebrate in front of the soaked travelling fansCredit: Reuters
 Harry Winks was making his international debut in the disappointing victory
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Harry Winks was making his international debut in the disappointing victoryCredit: Reuters
 Harry Kane celebrates with England teammates after scoring only goal
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Harry Kane celebrates with England teammates after scoring only goalCredit: Rex Features
 It is believed Gareth Southgate selected England's youngest starting XI since the late 1950s
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It is believed Gareth Southgate selected England's youngest starting XI since the late 1950sCredit: PA:Press Association
 England remain so reliant on striker Harry Kane after hitting the target yet again
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England remain so reliant on striker Harry Kane after hitting the target yet againCredit: Reuters

The goal came from the spot, despatched with class and composure after Dele Alli had been tripped by Lithuania full back Linas Klimavicius.

Kane made no mistake from the spot in the 27th minute.

He is the only hope England have.

All those changes, with head coach Gareth Southgate giving caps to Harry Maguire and little Harry Winks, was a bold move.

 The travelling England supporters were given little to cheer in a dross affair
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The travelling England supporters were given little to cheer in a dross affairCredit: AFP or licensors
 Jack Butland was handed a rare start and was forced to make an impressive save to deny Michael Keane from scoring an own goal
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Jack Butland was handed a rare start and was forced to make an impressive save to deny Michael Keane from scoring an own goalCredit: AFP or licensors
 Gareth Southgate has much work ahead if England are to do anything in Russia
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Gareth Southgate has much work ahead if England are to do anything in RussiaCredit: PA:Press Association

This latest formation, with England playing 3-4-3, gives the impression it is all down tactics.

The reality is that is about the personnel.

Lithuania rarely threatened, but Jack Butland did make a decent save when England defender Michael Keane nearly put through his own net in the 54th minute.

England were ordinary again here, with Marcus Rashford and Winks standing out on another mediocre England night.

 Daniel Sturridge was brought on to spark some inspiration into England's performance
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Daniel Sturridge was brought on to spark some inspiration into England's performanceCredit: Reuters
 England manager Gareth Southgate cut a frustrated figure at the full-time whistle
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England manager Gareth Southgate cut a frustrated figure at the full-time whistleCredit: Reuters

Winks, wearing Mike Tyson-style mid-cut black ankle boots, forced a flying save from Lithuania keeper Ernestas Setkus at the start of the second half.

Setkus saved well again when Aaron Creswell’s header forced him across goal to prevent England scoring a second.

Beyond that, this was yet another bang average performance.

 

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