Dele Alli joked that he fears the wrath of Tottenham coach Mauricio Pochettino after missing an easy chance for England against Malta on Saturday.

Alli, 20, saw his initial 12-yard effort well saved by Andrew Hogg, but netted the rebound to put England 2-0 up in their 2018 World Cup qualifier after Daniel Sturridge had given Gareth Southgate's Three Lions the lead at Wembley.

Hogg made a number of fine saves to prevent England from thrashing minnows Malta, but Alli says both he and the team must become more clinical in future.

When asked whether he would be waiting for a phone call from Pochettino after the match, Alli told talkSPORT: "I'll be waiting for the texts from him tonight!

"Like I say, I'm disappointed with the miss but I've got to try and put it behind me and keep scoring goals."

Alli admitted to reporters that he could have had a hat-trick as Malta's Surrey-born keeper Hogg thwarted the hosts on several occasions.

"It is possible," he said when asked if he could have taken two other good chances and completed a treble.

"I'm disappointed in myself, it doesn't feel like I have scored, I feel like I should have had more and I need to put it behind me and go into the next game looking to score more goals.

"Every game is different and there is no easy game at international level. They sat deep and made it hard for us to keep going, it was important that we didn't get carried away."

Alli also hailed Southgate as a "fantastic manager" after he began life as England's interim head coach with a victory.

England vs Malta in pictures 13 show all England vs Malta in pictures 1/13 England vs Malta Interim manager Gareth Southgate poses for a selfie before the game Getty Images 2/13 England vs Malta A shot of the match shirt ahead of England's second World Cup qualifier The FA via Getty Images 3/13 England vs Malta Jesse Lingard was handed his England debut The FA via Getty Images 4/13 England vs Malta Tottenham pair Dele Alli and Danny Rose arrive at Wembley The FA via Getty Images 5/13 England vs Malta Southgate takes in his surroundings ahead of kick-off Getty Images 6/13 England vs Malta The dressing room is laid out as England arrive at Wembley The FA via Getty Images 7/13 England vs Malta Gareth Southgate sings the national anthem after assuming position Getty Images 8/13 England vs Malta His first England XI Pose for a pre-match photo Getty Images 9/13 England vs Malta Dele Alli shields possession in the first period Getty Images 10/13 England vs Malta Daniel Sturridge celebrates after giving England the lead Getty Images 11/13 England vs Malta Dele Alli doubles England's lead The FA via Getty Images 12/13 England vs Malta The Tottenham man wheels away after scoring his second England goal The FA via Getty Images 13/13 England vs Malta Gareth Southgate and team celebrate Dele Alli's goal Getty Images 1/13 England vs Malta Interim manager Gareth Southgate poses for a selfie before the game Getty Images 2/13 England vs Malta A shot of the match shirt ahead of England's second World Cup qualifier The FA via Getty Images 3/13 England vs Malta Jesse Lingard was handed his England debut The FA via Getty Images 4/13 England vs Malta Tottenham pair Dele Alli and Danny Rose arrive at Wembley The FA via Getty Images 5/13 England vs Malta Southgate takes in his surroundings ahead of kick-off Getty Images 6/13 England vs Malta The dressing room is laid out as England arrive at Wembley The FA via Getty Images 7/13 England vs Malta Gareth Southgate sings the national anthem after assuming position Getty Images 8/13 England vs Malta His first England XI Pose for a pre-match photo Getty Images 9/13 England vs Malta Dele Alli shields possession in the first period Getty Images 10/13 England vs Malta Daniel Sturridge celebrates after giving England the lead Getty Images 11/13 England vs Malta Dele Alli doubles England's lead The FA via Getty Images 12/13 England vs Malta The Tottenham man wheels away after scoring his second England goal The FA via Getty Images 13/13 England vs Malta Gareth Southgate and team celebrate Dele Alli's goal Getty Images

Southgate was in charge for the first time having been named as Sam Allardyce's successor after his 67-day reign came to an acrimonious end.

He deployed Alli in his favoured No.10 role with captain Wayne Rooney again operating deeper in midfield.

And, having scored his second senior goal, the 20-year-old praised Southgate, who had also worked with the former MK Dons man at Under-21 level.

"He was quite relaxed and has a lot of faith in us it seems," said Alli.

"He told us to go out there and express ourselves, not to worry too much and to keep playing football and not get carried away.

"I think every manager is different in their own way, he is a great manager and I look forward to working under him."

Asked if he wanted to see Southgate handed the reins on a permanent basis, Alli replied: "It isn't my decision to make but he is a fantastic manager.

"I worked with him before at the Under-21s and I'm looking forward to working with him for these games too.

"The set-up they have got here is fantastic, St George's Park and everything like that, everyone gets on well and the manager has come in and fit in perfectly."

Additional reporting by the Press Association.