Interim manager Gareth Southgate's delight at his players' attacking freedom was tempered somewhat by the sloppy moments that threatened to derail England's ultimately comprehensive win against old foes Scotland.
The penultimate match of a turbulent year brought a smile to supporters' faces at Wembley, where the Three Lions overcame their neighbours 3-0 in Friday's World Cup qualifier.
England rode their luck at times after Daniel Sturridge's opener, but matters could have been worse for Gordon Strachan's side had Raheem Sterling not inexplicably missed after Adam Lallana and Gary Cahill's headers.
It was Scotland's heaviest defeat to the Auld Enemy since 1975 and strengthened Southgate's chances of retaining the job beyond his four-match interim spell.
Such talk is on the back-burner until after Tuesday's glamour friendly with Spain, when the former defender hopes for a similar attacking display but knows more concerted defensive effort will be required.
"For the team (I am delighted)," he said. "For the players to come through a real pressure environment and win and, in the end, enjoy their football.
"The game is always different when the scoreline is as it in the last 10-15 minutes, so they were able to experience playing at Wembley with some freedom and some lovely interplay and control the game.
"However, before that point there were some moments where we weren't as controlled and we had to dig in at times.
"Some of our play with the ball and our interchanging of positions was excellent, very exciting.
"Some of our first phase build-up play was sloppy and we caused our own problems, really, and gave up more opportunities than we should have.
"Lots to reflect and improve upon, but also some really pleasing things in terms of some individual performances, of the way we used the ball in the second two thirds of the field and the way we pressed with energy.
"That is something we were conscious to give our supporters as well."
The result seriously dents Scotland's World Cup hopes, leaving them six points behind Group F leaders England.
Southgate is pleased to have achieved his objective of ending 2016 top of the group, but there appears little chance of complacency taking hold.
"I think the group is still wide open," he said.
"My experience with the Under-21s is that you keep winning games and the table doesn't seem to change.
"And you think 'blimey, we still need more points'.
"I think it is one of those group where teams will drop points against each other, so we have to make sure that we keep just keep it moving on."
England's next qualifier is at home to Lithuania on March 26, which comes days after another glamour friendly at world champions Germany.
It is one of several tough-looking challenges lined-up, with Spain the opponents this Tuesday as the Three Lions look to end a tough year on a high.
"Well, it is one of the biggest challenges that we have faced," Southgate said of the friendly.
"It looks like they will have a couple of players missing, but they have strength in depth, a clear identity of how they play through their age groups.
"Obviously Julen (Lopetegui, Spain head coach) has been the Under-21 manager so he knows how the system is there, he has worked with so many of the players and the style, so, yeah, it is going to be a huge test for us.
"But that is a good challenge, a different type of challenge, for us to prepare for."
Michael Keane and Aaron Cresswell are set to come back into contention having been the two members of the enlarged 25-man squad omitted on Friday.
Theo Walcott could yet have to leave the camp as his wife is expecting, while Southgate is waiting to hear if anybody will be unavailable for Tuesday.
"I am not sure yet," he said. "Hopefully not, but the medical team has not had a chance to assess everyone yet.
"Releasing players will depend upon how they present probably (on Saturday) and we will make an assessment. There's no agreements with clubs."
Source: PA
