W/Cup 2014: England humilated Maldova

England rose to top of World Cup qualifying Group H but this victory came at a cost. Danny Welbeck collected two goals but also a yellow card which rules him out of England’s crucial game with Ukraine on Tuesday.

It could be James Milner starting on the left now, particularly with Daniel Sturridge not expected to recover from a thigh problem in time. Otherwise this was a fairly satisfactory night. Steven Gerrard scored and was good throughout. Rickie Lambert continued to enjoy his late-starting international career, making it two in two. Poland’s draw with Montenegro also was a positive for England. This had been the last of the straightforward games for England. They now head to Kiev with Hodgson knowing he has to make changes that could define his reign. England will definitely be without Welbeck, who was cautioned by the Slovak referee for kicking the ball away after the whistle had blown for offside.