World Cup 2018: Nigel Winterburn hails England after dramatic Tunisia win but rues profligacy

Former Arsenal defender Nigel Winterburn has hailed Gareth Southgate’s England after a dramatic 2-1 win against Tunisia in Russia.

Harry Kane’s early goal had seemingly put them ahead in Volgograd, before Ferjani Sassi levelled from a penalty ten minutes from the half-time break.

AS IT UNFOLDED: Tunisia v England

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With time running out though, Kane struck again to send the Three Lions into raptures and claim an important three points in their first World Cup match.

And former England defender Winterburn, 54, told Yahoo Sport’s daily show The 32 he was impressed with the rejuvenated performance to start with.

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He said: “No, I do not think the late goal did (paper over the cracks). England were excellent in the first half – that’s one of the best 45 minutes of football I have seen them play.

“But as I said, I was watching the game last night and the one drawback for me was England were not ruthless enough.

“All the chances fell to our goal scorers and we did not take them. Really, we could have been three or four nil up by half time. That was the one drawback on the first half.

“In the second half we didn’t have that intensity, I don’t know if that was due to the humidity. Overall, though, it was an encouraging performance.”