In some respects, Gareth Southgate might have been happier with the dramatic way England claimed a 2-2 draw with Scotland than a comfortable 3-0 victory.
In the days leading up to the game, when England's players and staff talked about what they were looking to do in the weeks and months ahead, a few themes emerged. One was Harry Kane's desire to get to the level of Cristiano Ronaldo; another the search for leadership throughout the squad; hope of well and truly flushing out the fetid memories of last summer's debacle against Iceland, a game when faced with pressure and adversity, the whole side froze.