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England 2-0 Estonia: Six main talking points following the Wembley win

England striker Theo Walcott is congratulated

England made it nine wins from nine games with a dominant 2-0 victory over Estonia at Wembley on Friday night.

Theo Walcott opened the scoring just before half-time and then Raheem Sterling doubled the lead late on after good work by substitute Jamie Vardy.

Here we pick out just some of the talking points as England continue their preparations for Euro 2016…

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England ratings

Terry Butcher gives his verdict on England's players against Estonia.

Is Rooney still the main man?

England's captain is now his country's top scorer and was presented with a golden boot by the man whose record he broke, Sir Bobby Charlton. Even so, there was excitement ahead of this game at the prospect of a forward line with youthful exuberance on its side. Not least because we rarely get to see what an England team would look like without him.

Theo Walcott has scored a goal every 45 minutes he's played during England's European Qualifying campain
Image: Wayne Rooney remains England's top scorer in European Qualifiers

The statistics highlight Rooney's dominance during this qualifying campaign. Before this game, he had played the most minutes of any outfield player and created more chances than anyone. As well as being his team's top scorer, he'd had 22 shots on target. Prior to Friday, Danny Welbeck was the only other player to have had more than four.

Can Kane lead the line?

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However, his replacement Harry Kane was not entirely convincing and failed to add to his England goal tally. "This is a big opportunity for him," said manager Roy Hodgson before the game. "With Wayne out, he's in pole position." But while Kane worked hard, this was not the young striker at his fluent best.

Theo Walcott opens the scoring for England on the stroke of half-time
Image: Theo Walcott finished neatly to give England the lead just before the break

And so, while two of England's front three got on the scoresheet, it's unlikely that Hodgson will have too many qualms about restoring his skipper to the starting line-up when the chance arises. For Kane, he will surely need a far better showing in Lithuania next week if he's to avoid being back on the bench for the showpiece friendlies next month.

Barkley and Lallana impress

One man who did enjoy himself was Ross Barkley. In front of a 75,000 crowd, he showed a willingness to entertain but delivered end-product too - providing the delightful assist for Walcott's goal, nutmegging the Estonia defender in the process. "It's that man Barkley really," said Terry Butcher, watching from the Sky Sports studio. "When he gets on the ball, England do look dangerous."

Terry Butcher gave his verdict on England's players after the 2-0 win over Estonia
Image: Ross Barkley produced a confident performance in England's midfield

Lallana showed similar levels of flair, popping up in rare pockets of space and fashioning openings for himself when that space didn't exist thanks to his neat footwork. Both he and Barkley are players who have the technique that some suggest Englishmen do not possess. Hodgson's responsibility is to find a way to get the best from them against the best next summer.

Is Milner the solution?

While Lallana and Barkley offered glimpses of class, James Milner was asked to play the holding role. Given their tendency to roam forwards, it didn't afford the Liverpool midfielder much protection and there were times when England looked vulnerable as the centre of the pitch was left vacated. The approach will not be an option against better opposition.

 Roy Hodgson manager of England looks on prior to the UEFA EURO 2016 Group E qualifying match between England and Estonia
Image: Roy Hodgson maintained his side's 100-per-cent record in qualifying

Milner changed clubs in the summer for a chance in the middle but he's not a natural holding midfielder as the position does not make use of his best quality - his energetic running. He lost possession 16 times and it seems Michael Carrick is still the most likely deputy for Jack Wilshere.

Is this good preparation?

England, of course, don't get to choose their opponents but the use of Milner as the lone defensively-minded midfielder was a reminder that there is a limit to what can be learnt from these fixtures.

Raheem Sterling of England celebrates with Jamie Vardy
Image: Raheem Sterling celebrates England's second goal with Jamie Vardy

Hodgson's men have shown that they are effective at seeing off second-rate teams and they boast the only remaining 100-per-cent record in the European Qualifiers. But they'll need to beat the best if they are to be judged as a success next summer. Forthcoming friendlies against Spain, France, Germany and Netherlands offer a very different test.

Counter-attacking team?

But perhaps that need not be the end of England's fine run of results. While there have long been question marks over England's possession game, there is a growing feeling that they have the players for a counter-attacking approach. With Estonia and others defending so deep, that just hasn't been an option during qualifying.

Raheem Sterling scores
Image: England turned defence into attack to double their lead late on

Walcott and Sterling grabbed their goals despite rarely being afforded the space in which to run in behind the Estonia defence. If they can provide that goal threat from those wide positions then England's 4-3-3 really can mean three forwards rather than one. 

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