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Gareth Southgate not taking England World Cup qualification for granted

Gareth Southgatelooks on during the 2018 World Cup qualifier between England and Lithuania at Wembley
Image: Gareth Southgate was victorious in his first competitive match in charge of England

England have built up a four-point cushion at the top of Group F but manager Gareth Southgate is not taking World Cup qualification for granted.

Goals from Jermain Defoe and Jamie Vardy gave the former England defender a 2-0 victory over Lithuania on Sunday in his first competitive match since being confirmed as permanent manager.

England are the only team in European World Cup qualification yet to concede at the halfway stage. Slovenia slipped out of second place after losing away to under-pressure Scotland, with Slovakia usurping them after beating rock-bottom Malta.

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England are 1-33 with some bookmakers to win the group but Southgate is not expecting it to be so easy, especially with a trip to Scotland awaiting in June.

"The group is in our hands, which is the most important thing," Southgate said. "We still have a lot to do.

Jermaine Defoe of England celebrates with Adam Lallana and Eric Dier
Image: Jermain Defoe scored as England beat Lithuania 2-0 at Wembley to consolidate top spot

"The home games [against Slovakia and Slovenia] are the important ones for us in terms of direct opposition in positions two and three at the moment.

"But we know what going to Scotland is going to be like and we have to go and play on a plastic pitch in Lithuania.

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"There's still plenty to do and also we have got to keep looking to improve with every performance."

Chris Martin of Scotland celebrates after he scores during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier between Scotland and Slovenia at
Image: Scotland's late victory over Slovenia adds extra importance to England's clash at Hampden Park in June

England's June 10 clash in Scotland is set to be as fascinating as it will be highly-charged.

Harry Kane, Daniel Sturridge and Wayne Rooney will be hoping to return after missing the friendly in Germany and the qualifier against Lithuania - absences that enabled Defoe to complete an unlikely international renaissance.

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