The efficient Ashley Young and the polished Danny Welbeck were the top performers against Belgium at Wembley
JOE HART GOALKEEPER 5/10
This was a familiar experience for the Manchester City goalkeeper, who dealt authoritatively with the few shots that game his way – until being nonplussed by Guillaume Gillet's surprising long-range blast against the post in the 78th minute. That seemed to unsettle him and he miscontrolled a back-pass moments later before making a hasty recovery. But the hint of fragility was unwelcome.
GLEN JOHNSON RIGHT-BACK 5
Joined in attacks regularly to provide useful option but, other than one decent dribble early on, carried little threat. The lack of speed of Belgium's wide players meant his slow recovery from forward excursions was seldom punished, although he was lucky to avoid a booking for tripping Drei Mertens after the winger got in behind him in the first half.
GARY CAHILL CENTRE-BACK 6
Along with Terry, kept the team's defensive shape diligently for the short amount of time he was on the pitch until his unfortunate injury.
JOHN TERRY CENTRE-BACK 6
Switched from the left-hand side of central defence to the right-hand side when Gary Cahill went off and continued to look secure. However, his use of the ball was poor, as too often he resorted to hopeful long passes that failed to find a team-mate.
ASHLEY COLE LEFT-BACK 5
Not quite his usual solid self, as he gave the ball away several times and also could have been booked for a lazy hack at Eden Hazard, but he did make a good late block from Lukaku. Bearing in mind that he is competing for a place with Leighton Baines, who offers excellent crossing and freekick prowess, Cole's contribution going forward was disappointingly meagre.
JAMES MILNER RIGHT-MIDFIELD 4
Hugged the right touchline, presumably as per instructions, but England struggled to supply him with any service. When he did receive the ball, his use of it was ineffective, except for one fine clever pull-back cross to Welbeck early on. Defensively, however, his eager work was effective.
STEVEN GERRARD MIDFIELD 6
Full of endeavour and was much more successful than Parker at disrupting Belgium's midfield dominance, notably when winning the ball off Dembélé to set up the first goal. Made occasional surges from deep but team-mates failed to reward him with accurate passes.
SCOTT PARKER MIDFIELD 4
Was not helped by the fact that England were often outnumbered in midfield but seemed off the pace and struggled to make any impact. Getting booked for a clumsy late foul summed up his contribution; on the few occasions that he did get the ball, he knocked it sideways or backwards, demonstrating the limited role he sees as his.
ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN LEFT-MIDFIELD 5
Great attitude, full of bold enterprise. Execution frequently let him down but did not lose confidence and continued to try to make a difference by taking on opponents and shooting when the opportunity arose.
ASHLEY YOUNG FORWARD 7
Highly efficient performance. Constantly made himself available for passes, refusing to be discouraged even when team-mates failed to deliver. When he did the get the ball, he used it cleverly and cuttingly, such as when he threaded a neat pass through to Welbeck for England's goal and when he calmly teed up Gerrard for a shot just before half-time. Good corner kicks too.
DANNY WELBECK FORWARD 7
Very polished performance. He was England's most composed player on the ball despite having to endure the frustration of seldom getting it. Came deeper and deeper looking for it and used it astutely. And when he was finally presented with a chance in a dangerous position, he took his goal perfectly.
SUBSTITUTES
JOLEON LESCOTT (CAHILL, 19) 5
Struggled to keep track of Fellaini, even from set-pieces when the conspicuous Everton midfielder continually gave him the slip. Lescott luckily got away with it each time. Partially redeemed himself with a tackle to thwart Lukaku in the last minute.
WAYNE ROONEY (WELBECK, 53) 6
Presumably introduced to hone his sharpness and looked in fine form from that point of view, constantly taking up good positions and probing with well-intentioned passes. Fine delivery from a late free kick, too.
JERMAIN DEFOE (YOUNG, 66) 7
Encouragingly threatening. His movement was rapid and smart, and his predatory skills promising, as he struck the post with one fine shot and hit the sidenetting with another chance that he created himself.
THEO WALCOTT (OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN, 66) 6
Proved that he can make and execute good decisions when he wriggled past a defender in the 81st minute and slipped a perfect pass to Jermain Defoe.
PHIL JAGIELKA (TERRY, 70) 6
Belgium were frequently free to run at England's defence, especially late on, and that created a certain disarray. But at least Jagielka dealt with Fellaini quite well and provided regular cover for the full-backs.
JORDAN HENDERSON (GERRARD, 83)
Not on long enough to make any meaningful contribution.
MANAGER
ROY HODGSON 6
The decision to start Welbeck meant a slight alteration to England's style, as there were fewer long balls forward than when Andy Carroll was the target. England could not, however, get the ball to Welbeck's feet regularly, largely because they were outnumbered and outplayed in central midfield, a fact that Hodgson did not address. The manager is seemingly content for England to allow the opposition to have the ball until they get into shooting range. Read More
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