MX23RW : Sunday, September 8 14:23:05| >> :120:9512:9512:
Sep 7, 2019 at 5pm UK at ​Wembley Stadium
England
4-0
Bulgaria
Kane (24', 50' pen., 24', 24', 50' pen., 73' pen.), Sterling (55', 55')
FT(HT: 3-0)

5 things we learned as England eased past Bulgaria at Wembley

5 things we learned as England eased past Bulgaria at Wembley
© Reuters
Gareth Southgate's side continued their 100 per cent start to Euro 2020 qualifying.

A hat-trick from Harry Kane and a goal from Raheem Sterling gave England a comfortable 4-0 victory over Bulgaria in their Euro 2020 qualifier.

Here, the PA news agency looks at five things we learned from the game.

Southgate lacking in adventure

Jordan Henderson lined up in midfield for England
Jordan Henderson lined up in midfield for England (Tim Goode/PA)

Bulgaria came to frustrate, playing with five at the back, but manager Gareth Southgate went for a rather safe midfield of Jordan Henderson, Harry Winks and Ross Barkley, when the inclusion of James Maddison, on top form for Leicester, or Mason Mount would have offered a different dimension.

Tripp-ed up

Kieran Trippier was a surprise starter at right-back
Kieran Trippier was a surprise starter at right-back (Tim Goode/PA)

Kieran Trippier was given the nod ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold despite the England coach this week admitting he had left out Manchester City's vastly-experienced Kyle Walker to develop younger talents. The 28-year-old Atletico Madrid defender did not definitively press his claims and should have offered more against a packed Bulgarian defence.

Sterling service

Manchester City's Sterling has been in top form for some time now and the criticism of him at the World Cup 14 months ago seems a long time ago. A versatile, positive, forward who has proved he can score on any stage, the 24-year-old is still improving and his importance to England's future should not be underappreciated.

So clear, no VAR

VAR's introduction into the Premier League this season has resulted in a fair bit of criticism. However, it is not in operation for international matches so there were no long delays with the crowd waiting to discover what was being checked and made for a more fluid, enjoyable occasion. The second-half penalty decisions – albeit straightforward ones – were cases in point.

No go-al Henderson

Jordan Henderson continued his England blank
Jordan Henderson continued his England blank (Anthony Devlin/PA)

Jordan Henderson set a new record for an England midfielder or forward of 52 England appearances without a goal. Much of the criticism the Liverpool captain has had, especially at club level, is that he is not Steven Gerrard and that was evident from his 15th-minute volley from Danny Rose's cross which put the assistant referee in more danger than goalkeeper Plamen Iliev.

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Gareth Southgate pictured in England training on September 2, 2019
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England vs. Bulgaria: Five talking points ahead of Euro 2020 qualifier
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