Gareth Southgate will have plenty to ponder despite a 4-0 scoreline, the final result embellished by three England goals in the final five minutes of the game.
His side threatened early in humid conditions but the match grew gradually more pedestrian as the first-half wore on and Malta will have been delighted to go in on level terms at the break.
Marcus Rashford's introduction brought about an immediate upturn in tempo after half-time but it was the Tottenham connection of Dele Alli supplying Harry Kane which brought the crucial breakthrough on 53 minutes.
England struggled to build on that advantage until the opposition flagged in the closing stages, goals from Ryan Bertrand, substitute Danny Welbeck and Kane again keeping the on top of Group F by two points from Slovakia who scored late to defeat Slovenia.
The two sides meet at Wembley on Monday evening but England cannot secure qualification for Russia 2018 until their final double-header of matches.