England Watch: Daniel Sturridge

The Chelsea forward started in attack after his goal on Friday night in Portugal, which set up this must win match over Lithuania at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

The former Manchester City star had a very quiet opening 10 minutes, being limited to a few touches, which caused a reaction from Stuart Pearce who berated Daniel for walking back to defend a corner.

Soon after his talking to, Sturridge got involved with a great piece of skill allowing him to spread the ball out wide and the striker got on the end of Danny Rose's pass in the box, but after time to set himself, he shot wide of the past and a glorious chance to take the lead went begging.

On 14 minutes, Daniel fouled Karolis Chvedukas, but just seconds later the pacey striker was bought down just inside the Lithuania half, an incident which saw the first booking of the game.

After 33 minutes Sturridge's next meaningful contribute came in the way of a quickly take free kick to Daniel who dribbled past two players with ease before putting the ball through to Danny Rose, only for the Tottenham winger to blaze over.

Just moments later Sturridge again got past the Lithuanian left back, only for his shot to be deflected wide for a corner.

Daniel was getting more and more involved, dropping deep to meet the ball as he linked up well with Rose.

He had another half chance at goal but his shot went high and wide after an England corner.

Towards the end of the first half Sturridge moved out wide left and this was still the case in the second half as Welbeck played through the middle with Danny Rose playing just behind the Sunderland striker.

Daniel was involved in much of the build up play as tidy, neat passes cut through the Lithuanian defence as Daniel constantly looked to beat the his opponents with his trickery and pace.

Pearce then shifted the Chelsea forward out onto the right and he made an immediate impact, cutting in from the right a firing a ferocious shot just inches wide of the target.

Sturridge's mazy runs were causing no end of problems for the Lithuanian defence as they struggled to cope with the pace and strength he provided.

Daniel thought he had got his name on the score sheet, only for the linesman's flag to rule out the goal which looked to be a close call for offside.

Daniel was soon moved to his fourth position of the game playing in the central role just behind the front man, but soon after he was replaced on 78 minutes by fellow Chelsea teammate Jack Cork who is currently on loan at Burnley, to bring an end to a impressive display which helped guide England to a 3-0 win over their Lithuanian counterparts, thanks to goals from Marc Albrighton and a brace from Danny Welbeck.

The win also secured qualification to the European Championships Play offs as other results went their way.