Mikel: England have 'very good chance' to win World Cup

Nigeria captain John Obi Mikel saw enough from England on Saturday to consider Gareth Southgate's team  potential World Cup winners.

England beat Mikel's Super Eagles 2-1 at Wembley as goals from Gary Cahill and captain Harry Kane were enough to begin preparations for Russia with a win .

Arsenal's Alex Iwobi pulled one back for the visitors, who are also World Cup-bound, but England did enough to secure the victory.

Former Chelsea midfielder Mikel played the whole 90 minutes and was impressed by what he saw from Southgate's men.

"I think they have a very good chance of going all the way because the youthfulness and energy in this team... you can feel it," he said.

"I think the pace in the team, you can feel it, and that is why we had some problems in the first half.

"In the second half we corrected some mistakes and played a lot better. I think the England team have a good chance."

Raheem Sterling started after a week in the media spotlight

Gary Cahill believes England colleague Raheem Sterling has conducted himself "fantastically" during a difficult week for the Three Lions star.

Sterling was headline news for the wrong reasons as England's preparations for the World Cup were dealt a double blow.

Firstly, the Manchester City man was photographed with a tattoo of a gun on his right leg before it then emerged he arrived late for England's training camp.

Manager Gareth Southgate kept faith in the 23-year-old and started him against Nigeria.

Sterling laid on the second goal for captain Harry Kane after Cahill had headed England in front inside seven minutes.

"It is to be expected but at the same time it would be nice if it was positive," Cahill said of the stories regarding England players leading into a big tournament.

"The lads are delighted and the goals are just around the corner for him I'm sure"

"Nevertheless, Raheem has been fantastic with it all, he manages that situation very, very well. Kept working hard, kept his focus and I think today you saw a performance that, apart from scoring a goal, he was very lively.

"So credit to him he has had to come over that but it is to be expected for whatever reason.

"I think first and foremost he has conducted himself fantastically well this week, he has managed that situation very well.

"He has come out today in front of a huge crowd and performed very well. He created quite a few chances... (there are) no issues, he played very well today, the lads are delighted and the goals are just around the corner for him I'm sure."