Sterling’s redemption

It was ludicrous that Raheem Sterling got as much blame as he did after Euro 2016, when he was merely one of a number of under-performers rather than the stand-out villain. What he has shown since is that he is still a special talent, a player with a rare ability to beat opponents and also to provide sharp final-third delivery. That is what playing for Pep Guardiola can do for a player’s confidence. So Sterling proved again here, setting up the opener by darting down the left wing and providing a brilliant cross back for Jermain Defoe to convert. Not bad for someone accused of having ‘no end product’.

England vs Lithuania player ratings Show all 13 1 /13 England vs Lithuania player ratings England vs Lithuania player ratings Joe Hart - 5 out of 10 Had absolutely nothing to do in the first-half, and yet still very nearly managed to fluff his lines. Haring off his line to punch a long pass clear, he was beaten to the ball by Nerijus Valskis and was relieved to see John Stones booting his header off the line. Getty Images England vs Lithuania player ratings Kyle Walker – 6 out of 10 Given license to press forward at every opportunity, Walker had a mixed first-half before growing into the game later on. He helped set up England's second goal with a good burst forward and almost set up Dele Alli for a third moments later. Getty Images England vs Lithuania player ratings John Stones – 7 out of 10 Has been increasingly impressive for Manchester City in recent weeks and continued his good form at Wembley. Like Keane he had very little work to do defensively but he was superb bringing the ball forward and starting England’s attacks. Incredibly, he barely misplaced a pass during the entire match. Getty Images England vs Lithuania player ratings Michael Keane - 6 out of 10 Had remarkably little to do in defence after a solid debut away to Germany on Wednesday night. Hit several inch-perfect diagonal passes. Looks like he belongs at this level. AFP/Getty Images England vs Lithuania player ratings Ryan Bertrand - 6 out of 10 Stationed so far forward that he often looked as if he was playing as a left-winger in a 4-3-3 system. Saw a lot of the ball in the first-half but occasionally wasteful in possession, and his final ball was often lacking. Unlikely to replace Danny Rose in Southgate’s staring XI when the Tottenham defender returns. Getty Images England vs Lithuania player ratings Eric Dier – 7 out of 10 Another assured display from England’s utility man. Showed great tactical awareness to regularly flit between a role in England’s defence and their midfield, and dealt confidently with Lithuania’s aerial threat. Very tidy with the ball at his feet. AFP/Getty Images England vs Lithuania player ratings Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 6 out of 10 An industrious performance, albeit not groundbreaking in any way. When Southgate named his starting XI it was assumed Oxlade-Chamberlain would be deployed out wide but instead he sat in central midfield alongside Eric Dier. Saw a well-struck long-shot nicely saved in the second-half. AFP/Getty Images England vs Lithuania player ratings Adam Lallana – 8 out of 10 Comfortably England’s best player. Ran confidently between the lines to draw out Lithuania’s deep defence and hit a number of impressive in-swinging crosses into the box to test their goalkeeper. Set up England’s second with a sublime flick into the path of Jamie Vardy. Getty Images England vs Lithuania player ratings Dele Alli – 6 out of 10 After an impressive display against Germany earlier in the week, Alli struggled to make much of an impression at Wembley. Was on the receiving end of some very rough treatment from Lithuania’s defenders and generally took a backseat as Sterling and Lallana impressed. AFP/Getty Images England vs Lithuania player ratings Raheem Sterling – 7 out of 10 Made a very bright start before fading in the second-half, where he was quickly replaced by Marcus Rashford. Created England’s goal by beating his man and hitting a superb low pass across the face of goal for Defoe to finish. Getty England vs Lithuania player ratings Jermain Defoe – 7 out of 10 Southgate took a gamble when he handed Defoe his first England call-up since 2013. Twenty minutes into this match and his decision was validated. Smashed home from close-range with confidence for his 20th international goal, and looked lively throughout. Getty Images England vs Lithuania player ratings Jamie Vardy - 6 out of 10 Replaced Jermain Defoe with half an hour left to play and did very well, linking up nicely with Alli and calmly finishing when played through by Lallana for England's second. Getty England vs Lithuania player ratings Marcus Rashford - 7 out of 10 Did exactly what you expect from a thirty minute Marcus Rashford cameo. Terrorised his marker, repeatedly cut inside and was desperately unlucky not to score, or assist a goal. Getty

Oxlade-Chamberlain blew it

This was a big moment for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who in the absence of Jordan Henderson was given the ‘number 8’ role alongside Eric Dier in England’s 4-2-3-1. It is a role he has started to play more often at Arsenal, with the collapse of their other midfield options, and this should have been a good chance to showcase his skills. But too often he could not make the right decision, or execute it. Passes were hit astray, crosses flew into touch and that intended spark never really materialised. Gareth Southgate might have wondered why he did not start Ross Barkley there instead.

Southgate may have preferred to start with Ross Barkley (Getty)

Alli showed maturity

The last time Dele Alli was here at Wembley he had one of the worst moments of his career. Tottenham were facing KAA Gent in the Europa League, trying to get back into the tie. Alli grew frustrated and launched himself into the shin of Brecht Dejaegere and was sent off. Spurs crashed out of the Europa League without Alli. That was only one month ago but today we saw a very different Alli, more mature, more able to withstand what the opposition throw at him. He was targeted by Lithuania’s Linas Klimavicius but never responded, continued to take the ball in tight spaces and play his game.

Dele Alli dribbles with the ball in the opening stages at Wembley (Getty)

Lallana is the brains of the operation

If Dele Alli is the heartbeat of this England team then Adam Lallana is the brains. The Liverpool midfielder is one of the most improved players in his generation, remarkable for continuing to improve through his mid and late 20s. Even more hearteningly, he is taking his Liverpool form into England duty with him, which is something few players do. Here again he was England’s creative genius, playing clever passes in behind the well drilled Lithuanian defence. He nearly put Defoe through in the first half but he eventually got his assist, playing in Jamie Vardy with a brilliantly disguised touch, setting up England’s second goal.

Lallana is impressing in his central role (Getty Images)

Southgate following Guardiola on Stones