ENGLAND-SCOTLAND
Strachan "proud" of Scotland as Southgate enhances prospects
"It was important they came through a pressure game," said interim England manager Gareth Southgate after beating Scotland.
Gareth Southgate boosted his chances of keeping his job and shortened the odds on Gordon Strachan losing his as England downed Scotland 3-0 in World Cup qualifying on Friday.
In the third game of Southgate's four-match stint as interim England manager, headers by Daniel Sturridge, Adam Lallana and Gary Cahill secured a victory that may land him the role full-time.
Southgate: "I will enjoy tonight"
Southgate stepped in after Sam Allardyce was forced out in the wake of a newspaper sting and had previously seen his side labour to victory over Malta before drawing 0-0 away to Slovenia.
"I will enjoy tonight. I was asked to take the job for four games and to keep the country top of the group," Southgate told ITV when asked about his future.
"Tonight was important for the supporters and the team. It was important they came through a pressure game, especially at Wembley."
Scotland's defeat, in the first competitive meeting between the teams in 17 years, left them six points adrift of Group F leaders England, for which Strachan could pay with his job.
Players were "tremendous", says Strachan
It was the Scots' second successive 3-0 loss after last month's reverse in Slovakia and means they're facing an uphill battle to qualify for a first major tournament since the 1998 World Cup.
"I feel really proud of the way they played and the way they went about their job," Strachan said.
"If anyone thinks I'm thinking about myself, you're wrong. I've got to think about the guys in there. They've been tremendous for me."