Gareth Southgate Praises Players After England’s Lacklustre Victory Over Malta

Gareth Southgate, the manager of the England national football team, has singled out four players for praise following England’s lacklustre victory over Malta. The match, which took place at Wembley Stadium, ended in a 2-0 win for England, with goals from Enrico Pepe (own goal) and Harry Kane.

Despite securing their place at Euro 2024 and maintaining an unbeaten run in the qualifiers, England’s performance was uninspired against the spirited but lowly opposition. Southgate acknowledged the underwhelming display but refrained from harsh criticism of his players.

Praise for Trent Alexander-Arnold and Marc Guehi

Southgate specifically praised Trent Alexander-Arnold, who once again played in a midfield role, and highlighted his outstanding quality. He also commended Marc Guehi for his mature performance in defense, noting his growth as an international footballer.

Improvements Needed

While acknowledging the positives, Southgate admitted that England did not reach the level they should have and emphasized the need for more quality on the ball and better chances created. He attributed the lackluster performance to the number of games the players have been involved in but ultimately expressed satisfaction with the win.

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