Nights like these should be as much about experimenting as getting a result, and Gareth Southgate's decision to push Trent Alexander-Arnold into midfield was vindicated spectacularly as England thrashed Malta 4-0 in European Championship qualifying.
Alexander-Arnold's first foray in a more advanced role for England, against Andorra in September 2021, was cut short after just 45 minutes and widely deemed a failure but here the Liverpool man was outstanding, scoring one goal and helping to make a further two as England continued their 100 per cent start to qualifying.
