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Having made his full England debut last week in a friendly against Germany in Dortmund, Michael Keane made his Wembley bow tonight as England beat Lithuania 2-0 in a World Cup qualifier.

England, this time, adopted a more familiar formation with a back four and, having played alongside Chris Smalling and Gary Cahill on the right side of a three in that first game, he was on the left of the central pair alongside Manchester City’s John Stones.

He turned in another excellent performance which had the pundits purring after the game, and that included former Claret Lee Dixon who was part of the ITV coverage who said: “He has been assured; obviously playing two different systems as well has given him something to think about.

“Especially the Germany game as well, a big game playing over there. It was a big test for his debut, but he was assured, pinging balls shows the confidence he’s got by playing week in, week out for Burnley.”

That adds to praise he also received from another ex-Claret Gary Cahill after his first game. “I’m a big fan of him,” Cahill said. “I think Burnley, and I’ve been there myself, is a fantastic club. He can play football, he’s comfortable on the ball and showed his composure, he slotted in and looked very established out there.”

In playing tonight, he became the first Burnley player to start a game at Wembley since Ralph Coates lined up for a Home International against Northern Ireland in April 1970 when he played alongside future Claret Keith Newton. England won the game 3-1 with goals from Martin Peters, Geoff Hurst and Bobby Charlton while George Best scored Northern Ireland’s goal.

Prior to that it was John Connelly, again in a Home International, against Wales in November 1962, a game England won 4-0.

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