Kane's second season syndrome is full blown - Three talking points as England beat Estonia

It was not exactly a thrilling Friday night at Wembley but there were talking points nevertheless, with Harry Kane struggling, Raheem Sterling on target and Ross Barkley in form.

LONDON — There were better ways to spend a Friday evening than watching Roy Hodgson's England side, who had already wrapped up qualification to the European Championship in impressive style, labor to a 2-0 victory against Estonia.

This too often resembled a practice match as the nation's finest took a break from the hustle and bustle of the Premier League to slowly and methodically pick apart its group rival.

But nevertheless there were signs, for better or for worse, that this October jaunt had ramifications for England's youngest talents.

KANE'S SECOND-SEASON SYNDROME IS FULL BLOWN

The only real bright spots for Harry Kane this season have come in an England shirt but there was no respite for him here. This was another difficult evening for the striker who took English football by storm last season. His goal against Manchester City at the end of September remains his only strike of the campaign for Tottenham, and hopes that he had got the monkey off his back with two strikes in two games against San Marino and Switzerland during the last set of international fixtures appear mislaid on this evidence.

Nothing would sit right for him, whether by dint of misfortune or his own poor touch, and what would have been a confidence-boosting goal evaded him.

This performance in itself is nothing to go overboard with but he does seem to have come down with a severe case of second-season syndrome. It was feared Premier League markers would wise up to his movement, but Estonia's central defensive pairings should not be able to contain him.

Had it not been for a great, old-fashioned flick on in the build-up to Raheem Sterling's goal, this would have been a night of very few positives - save for coming through it without any injuries.

STERLING BOOKMARKS DIFFICULT YEAR WITH LATE GOAL

Sterling has had a poor time of it in recent weeks as well. He brought a greater balance to Manchester City in the opening weeks of the season but he has had a string of poor matches in recent weeks and he was subbed at halftime by Manuel Pellegrini against Newcastle United. Jesus Navas, who had lost his place to make way for Kevin De Bruyne, was on the pitch as Sergio Aguero made hay.

But a goal here will have helped no end. Facing question marks at his club, the 20-year-old returned to the area in which he grew up to run out for his country once again, and a year on from when Roy Hodgson claimed he said he was too tired to play. That game last October was against Estonia, too, and this could provide a nice way to close a difficult chapter in his fledgling career.

Ever since that furor, for which he was roundly criticized, he has hardly replicated the blistering form which won him so many plaudits in 2013-14, as Liverpool went close to winning the title.

Joe Hart said this week that his clubmate can "set international football alight", but he showed little signs of starring tonight at Wembley until he stole in at the back post to convert Jamie Vardy's cross. Onwards and upwards, he will hope.

BARKLEY STAKES HIS CLAIM FOR EURO STARTING BERTH

One man who did have a good night for his country was Ross Barkley. He can still keep hold of the ball for far too long, most notably while charging at petrified defenders with options to his right and left, but he is certainly capable of lighting up games when he moves through the gears.

He was responsible for the most eye-catching moments of the evening - he set up Theo Walcott's opener with a delightful pass - and were it not for the inspired, if flamboyant, Estonia keeper Mihkel Aksalu he would have got on the scoresheet too.

He has been touted as the next big thing for a few years now and, of course, this is as good a time as any to show what he can really do. The England midfield is continually in a state of flux but with him at its tip, they could be a danger at the Euros next summer.

Not many players in European football provide such driving runs directly through the heart of teams and, (another Wayne Rooney comparison) you could see him causing havoc like his fellow Liverpudlian did at Euro 2004, where he was winning penalties and free kicks if he wasn't scoring goals.

They are lofty targets on which to set his sights but the 21-year-old has a great chance to cement himself into the team over the next few England fixtures and he signaled his intent with a man-of-the-match display here. He could be the man to liven up what is too often a dull, stodgy side.