England kicked off their World Cup preparations with a 2 - 1 friendly win over Nigeria, but Raheem Sterling ended a troubled week on a low note as the Manchester City star was booked for diving.
Gareth Southgate ’ s side swept into a two- goal lead as Gary Cahill and captain Harry Kane netted in a dominant first - half display at Wembley on Saturday .
But that encouraging opening was marred by a lethargic effort from England after the interval .
Alex Iwobi reduced the deficit for Nigeria , who came close to equalising after exposing the flaws in Southgate ’ s three - man defence by repeatedly attacking down the flanks .
Southgate still has time to work on those tactical issues as England have one more friendly — against Costa Rica in Leeds on Thursday – before they fly to Russia for their Group G opener against Tunisia in Volgograd on June 18.
But the England manager will also have to consider having another talk with Sterling after the City winger ’ s latest controversy .
Speaking just before kick - off, Southgate admitted he had doubts about selecting Sterling after he arrived a day late for the start of England ’ s training camp due to a flight mix - up as he returned from holiday.
Sterling had apologised to his team - mates after Southgate laid down the law — but that wasn ’ t his only issue since he joined up with England as the 23 -year- old was forced to defend his new tattoo of an M 16 assault rifle .
After flopping for England at Euro 2016 , Sterling has a point to prove and his fine form in City ’ s Premier League title - winning campaign was on display in his eye - catching first- half performance .
But Sterling couldn ’ t stay out of trouble and was booked for an embarrassingly clear dive in a failed attempt to win a second - half penalty .
It was that kind of evening for Southgate , with pluses and negatives in equal measure .
Dele Alli was subjected to jeers from the large contingent of Nigeria supporters , who recalled his decision to snub their country in favour of representing England.
Alli , who has a Nigerian father , didn ’ t seem perturbed and he was soon celebrating when England took a seventh - minute lead .
Kieran Trippier ’ s free - kick forced a fine save from Francis Uzoho and from the resulting corner England pounced .
– Convincing case –
Again it was Trippier’ s precise dead- ball delivery that did the damage as the Tottenham right - back picked out Cahill , who got between two Nigeria defenders to power his header past Uzoho .
Cahill was making his first England appearance since October after his late - season return to form with Chelsea convinced Southgate to recall the centre - back .
Following an inconsistent season with Tottenham and some diffident displays for England , Alli needed to cement his place in Southgate ’ s team and , ignoring the hail of boos , he was making a convincing case .
Spotting Trippier ’ s over- lapping run , Alli teed up his Tottenham team - mate for a low cross that Lingard flicked goalwards , only for Uzoho to make a fine save .
Sterling was the creator when England doubled their lead in the 39th minute , his pass picking out Kane for a low 18- yard strike that crept under a woeful attempted save from Uzoho .
Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford , making only his third international appearance , didn ’ t have a save to make until a straightforward effort from Chelsea ’ s Victor Moses in the closing seconds of the first half .
But the 24- year- old was picking the ball out of the net three minutes into the second half as England ’ s three -man central defence of Cahill , Kyle Walker and John Stones were exposed.
Odion Ighalo got free to shoot against a post and Arsenal winger Iwobi pounced on the loose ball to give Pickford no chance with a clinical finish.
Sterling ’ s troubles weren’ t quite over and he was booked for his crude attempt to win a penalty when Uzoho came off his line to block the winger ’ s run
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