World Cup 2018: Gareth Southgate 'didn't particularly like' England performance against Panama

Last updated on 24 June 2018.From the section World Cup1068

England 6-1 Panama: 'I didn't like England's performance' - Southgate

England manager Gareth Southgate said he "didn't particularly like" his side's performance despite beating Panama 6-1 to secure qualification to the knockout stages of the World Cup.

Harry Kane hit a hat-trick while John Stones (two) and Jesse Lingard also scored as Southgate's side recorded their biggest win at a finals.

However, Southgate believes his side can play even better.

"I didn't like the start and I didn't like their goal at the end," he said.

"I guess the bits in the middle were pretty good, but I am being hyper-critical," Southgate added with a smile.

The win followed England's 2-1 victory over Tunisia in their Group G opener on 18 June, with Kane heading home a late winner.

It means England have won their opening two group-stage games at a World Cup for only the third time, also doing so in 1982 and 2006.

"It's strange because I enjoyed the win against Tunisia more - because of the tension and the fact you get over the line," said Southgate.

"We probably at times played better the other day but today we were better in front of goal. I know how many people were watching at home on a Sunday afternoon and it's great to give them something to cheer about."

England play Belgium on Thursday to determine who will finish top of the standings and, despite not being pleased with some aspects of his side's play against Panama, Southgate is happy his team appear to be growing into the tournament.

"Confidence-wise it was important we were able to score goals," he said.

"We want to keep momentum, so we'll have to think about the team we want to put out against Belgium.

"There's an opportunity as well for players who need a match, but also we want to keep winning football matches. It's a nice decision to make."

Which records did England break in 6-1 win?

'We have to believe we can win World Cup'

Captain Kane, 24, became only the third England player to score three or more goals in a World Cup group stage, after Roger Hunt in 1966 and Gary Lineker in 1986.

The Tottenham striker is also the leading goalscorer in Russia with five goals - one more than Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo - and says England fans can be justified in believing they can land their first World Cup triumph since 1966.

"We're not getting too ahead of ourselves," said Kane. "We've got to keep it going but, yes, you have to believe. If you want to achieve anything in life you have to believe.

"We've got to stick together, stick to our gameplan."

Southgate believes Kane is the best player in his position at the World Cup, saying: "He's up at the top (of the list of great players).

"What is great for me is the way he sacrifices himself for the team by holding the ball up and when he gets opportunities we know he will bury them.

"We wouldn't swap him for anyone at the tournament in terms of number nines."

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1068 comments

Comment posted by Name, at 16:18 24 Jun 2018
Just shows how much easier the Tunisia game would have been with a competent referee.

It's so refreshing to see a young, English manager in charge of the national team. I feel like the team are just enjoying playing in the WC so much more.
Comment posted by Glass Onion, at 16:17 24 Jun 2018
He's given England an identity, he's not getting carried away by what was arguably an emphatic win, and whilst not disregarding the positives he's keeping the team grounded by pointing out areas of improvement. Southgate impresses more and more.
Comment posted by User0756768135, at 16:16 24 Jun 2018
As a Scottish man, I hoped england win the world for the UK 🇬🇧
Comment posted by D1679575620289, at 16:22 24 Jun 2018
Whatever happens for the rest of the tournament, I like England again!!!!! It feels like a squad allowed to express themselves on and off the pitch. I didn't want Southgate, but credit where it's due, and thank god we no longer have a dinosaur like Capello or Hodgson
Comment posted by RaggedTrouseredPhil, at 16:12 24 Jun 2018
I don't think we played as well today as we did against Tunisia. The key differences were that everything we hit went in, we were more clinical. That and an impartial and competent ref.
Comment posted by User0377747044, at 16:12 24 Jun 2018
A lot of the hys regulars owe Southgate an apology.
Comment posted by kafka12, at 16:15 24 Jun 2018
what is good about England is that they play like a team. There is no club division. It is a young team and we have a striker who has scored many goals every year before the tournement. The manger is modern and young . The rest are details
Comment posted by SWDC, at 16:14 24 Jun 2018
Great going forward and some fantastic goals. Doubts defensively for me though which better teams will exploit.

Not convinced Young and McGuire are best together on left hand side. McGuire awesome in opponents box at set plays but dilly dallies too much in own half.

Sterling on borrowed time. Rashford has got to be expecting a start now.
Comment posted by CobaltBlue, at 16:12 24 Jun 2018
Titles a bit misleading. He wasn't happy with the first 5mins or the goal. He was happy with other 84+ minutes of the game. BBC focusing negatively on our national side again....
Comment posted by Alan Hirst, at 16:32 24 Jun 2018
Unbelievable.. a 6-1 win and yet another salvo of negative comments.. be damned if you do do.. be damned if you don’t.. The England of today !
Comment posted by johval, at 16:55 24 Jun 2018
MOM: The Referee: for clamping down on the nonsense that has been an embarrassment in many previous matches.
Comment posted by Glen Haig, at 17:12 24 Jun 2018
As a Scot, I'd usually be cheering for the other team but this time I'm finding it very easy to support England. The main reason is thet the "I'm too sexy for this team" prima donnas (yes Hart, I'm looking in your direction), have been dropped in favour of players who realise what it means to pull on an England shirt.

It also helps that Gareth Southgate is such a likeable character.
Comment posted by Gnomercy, at 16:08 24 Jun 2018
That's what I like to hear from an England manager, not getting carried away by the score line instead being grounded by the performance. Unlike Shearer & co who like to paper over cracks on BBC
Comment posted by thomossparrowlegs, at 17:09 24 Jun 2018
For the first time since Euro 96 it is exciting to be an England fan. Well done to Southgate and the lads.
Comment posted by Aviatorr, at 16:11 24 Jun 2018
Great result. That's a game that we'd have previously struggled to a 1-0 win. But just like the Russians, yet to be tested against the better teams.
Comment posted by D1679264988024, at 17:06 24 Jun 2018
John Stones (defender, 28 appearances) two goals, Raheem Sterling (striker, 40 appearances) 2 career goals and zilch on the day.

Sterling comes up to peoples shoulders, cant hold the ball and always misses a sitter. Hasnt scored in three years.

Time he was gone.
Comment posted by Banishdelusion, at 16:31 24 Jun 2018
Yet again Sterling misses a sitter - he simply does not deserve to start ahead of Rashford. He's had enough chances now and contributes zero. Kane on the other hand gets better each game.
Comment posted by Vilyem Hize, at 16:25 24 Jun 2018
I "didn't particularly like" Sterling's non-performance. Again.
Comment posted by Wayne, at 16:32 24 Jun 2018
Southgate is going about his job well so far, despite his many detractors and maybe a couple of errors in squad and team selection he is getting the results. Keep it up lads.

Surely Sterling cannot start against Belgium, he was the worst performing England player again today. Great result though.
Comment posted by Spurtle, at 16:47 24 Jun 2018
I had doubts over Southgate but I'm happy to be proved wrong. Even if we do go out at the usual stage in the usual fashion, we still have better memories to take from this World Cup than we have in a long time.