England manager Sam Allardyce has described Wayne Rooney's performance against Slovakia as "brilliant" after the Three Lions secured a 1-0 win in Trnava.
Like at Euro 2016, Rooney spent much of the game in midfield, but England were able to secure three points in their opening World Cup qualifying fixture thanks to a last-gasp winner from Adam Lallana.
Rooney did not offer much of a threat in the final third but Allardyce was delighted with the display of the Manchester United attacker as he began his reign with maximum points.
Allardyce told ITV Sport: "Today he could play wherever he wants to be because he was brilliant. He controlled the game and controlled midfield, as well as Eric Dier.
"Sometimes he played a little deep but I can't stop Wayne if he thinks that is the right position to play. Our team is a team and it plays as a team. If it wins it wins. If it loses, it gets criticised."
England are next in action when they host Malta on October 8.
Darren Plant
