Scotland 1 England 3
An encouraging and considered footballing display by Roy Hodgson's England side, ensured that their journey north of the border to play old rivals Scotland ended in a convincing victory last night. Captain Wayne Rooney scored twice to edge him within three goals of Bobby Charlton's national goalscoring record, after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's opener had set the Three Lions on the way to success in the friendly.
Both sides were much changed from their latest Euro qualifiers, despite picking up maximum points over the weekend in their quest for qualification for Paris in the summer of 2016, as Hodgson and Gordon Strachan attempted to balance a strong line-up with a desire to see other squad players in competitive action.
For England, there was a rare opportunity for Fraser Forster in goal as usual choice Joe Hart was given the evening off, but the front two of Danny Welbeck and Rooney remained intact as a clear sign of their intent to get a positive result. Stewart Downing and the 'Ox' also came in to refresh the midfield, while Luke Shaw and Chris Smalling slotted into the defensive unit. Strachan remained essentially true to his pattern of play in his selections, but found room for Derby's Chris Martin in the starting eleven and captain Darren Fletcher was recovered sufficiently from illness earlier in the week to come on as a half-time sub.
England had started the game better than their hosts with a free header for Gary Cahill going just wide and neat interplay between the front two resulting in a shot on goal from Welbeck that was cleared.
The Scots matched their more illustrious counterparts in possession terms and in Ikechi Anya had a lively outlet down the left wing, although his initial success against right-back Nathaniel Clyne seemed to subside as the first-half wore on and he was subbed on the hour. Clyne seems to be a fast learner and is quickly establishing his position in the first eleven.
Just after the half-hour mark Oxlade-Chamberlain ghosted between two defenders to connect with a driven cross into the box from Jack Wilshere, and his pinpoint glancing header flew into the corner of the net to give the lead to the away side.
Up to the break England had built on their advantage and looked the stronger side, and it took them only two more minutes into the second period to add to their goal tally.
Scotland were unable to clear a free-kick and as Shaw's shot deflected back across goal, Rooney seized on the loose ball to head home.
The home side rallied briefly to force Forster into a comfortable save, as he had to tip the ball over the bar, but the game began to drift away from them as the head coaches decided to utilise the full range of substitutions permitted. Rickie Lambert was granted his usual ten minute cameo at the end of the match (as seems to have been his fate at Liverpool this season) as England looked to repeat his impact from the last time the two nations played each other (when he got the winner). That sadly meant that Saido Berahino went unused, but no doubt he will have gained some useful experience from just being with the senior squad over the last few days.
As the game looked to be petering out, Strachan's men surprisingly found a way back into it with just seven minutes to go. Neat interplay down their left flank freed up Andy Robertson whose powerful shot defeated Forster at his near post to reduce the arrears.
Sadly for them and their fans it was a brief moment of hope, as less than two minutes later England regained their two goal advantage. Second-half sub Adam Lallana had looked full of energy when he came on and sprinted down the right, balanced himself and pulled a cross back for Rooney to net his second of the night and effectively put the game 'to bed'. The hat-trick remained elusive for the England skipper but he would have been content with the performance, both individually and collectively.
His somersault celebration after his second goal displayed admirable athleticism, but may have concerned Manchester United onlookers after their team's recent injury issues.