Interim manager Gareth Southgate thanked 'outstanding' Joe Hart for saving England from a first qualifying defeat in seven years on a difficult night in Slovenia
Gareth Southgate
Ljubljana (Slovenia): Interim manager Gareth Southgate thanked "outstanding" Joe Hart for saving England from a first qualifying defeat in seven years on a difficult night in Slovenia.
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The Three Lions' run of 14 straight qualifying wins ended in Ljubljana, but things could have been worse was it not for the inspired display of their goalkeeper.
Putting a difficult Euro 2016 behind him, Hart — unfancied by Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and farmed out on loan to Torino — had to be at his best against the side ranked 67th in the world to secure a fortuitous 0-0 draw.
The 29-year-old produced a string of top saves, topped by somehow pushing a Jasmin Kurtic header onto the crossbar and flicking it away on his way down.
England goalkeeper Joe Hart (centre) makes a save during the World Cup qualifier against Slovenia in Ljubljana on Tuesday. Pic/AFP
"I had a long chat with him earlier in the week just to talk about what does he looks at his best," interim England manager Southgate said of Hart. "The two words he started with were 'calm and composed' and I thought that's what he has been in the two matches we've had.
"His decision making has been excellent, his use of the ball with his feet has been very, very good.
And, you know, two or three of his saves tonight were absolutely outstanding, so I think he showed the level that he's capable of. He was top, top class."
Hart's display saved his team but could not hide their lacklustre display in Slovenia, where captain Wayne Rooney's arrival off the bench with 17 minutes remaining was unable to spark a late winner.
England were ponderous for large portions of the match but the draw on the back of Saturday's straightforward 2-0 win against Malta keeps them top of Group F following a disruptive fortnight in the wake of Sam Allardyce's abrupt departure.
"I can't thank the players and support team enough for the backing I have had," Southgate said.
"The four points from the position we were in last Tuesday... we wanted six, we would have liked to have scored more goals in the two games."
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