England 3-0 Latvia – PLAYER RATINGS: Who illuminated a colorless sport? Which star was fortunate to not be despatched off? And who was very full of life?
England notched up another confidence-boosting win under new manager Thomas Tuchel, continuing their World Cup qualifying campaign on a pitch-perfect note with 3-0 victory against Latvia.
The former Chelsea manager had rolled the dice with the changes after Friday’s 2-0 win against Albania, bringing his former defender at club level Reece James into the starting XI.
James was quick to justify his introduction – and rare England start – in the first-half as he opened the scoring with an immaculate freekick.
Captain Harry Kane doubled the hosts’ lead on Monday evening after the break, with Eberechi Eze brought on as a second-half substitute to put fears of an upset firmly out of Latvia’s grasp.
But who stood out at the home of English football, and which players must try harder?
Here, Mail Sport’s JACK GAUGHAN runs the rule over the good, the bad, and the ugly as the dust settles at Wembley.
England romped to a 3-0 win at home to close out their opening batch of World Cup qualifiers
Returning England star Reece James broke the deadlock via an immaculate first-half free-kick
Harry Kane added to the haul with the captain’s armband in the second-half at Wembley
Jordan Pickford – 6
Had touched the ball just nine times until the 81st minute, although almost had a catastrophe with Marc Guehi in gifting a glaring chance. Maybe bored.
Reece James – 8
Stunning 30-yard free kick, with whip and bend, illuminated a drab game. Nonchalant non-celebration indicates he knew how good it was.
Ezri Konsa – 7
England’s most commanding defender on the night and carried possession nicely. Unfortunate not to find the net before half-time.
Marc Guehi – 6
A couple of hairy moments – not least with Pickford – but generally stable whenever Latvia threatened to break on the counter.
Ezri Konsa was a standout in England’s backline and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet
Marc Guehi survived some hairy defensive moments but helped England keep a clean sheet
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 7.5
Inverted left back for the start of the night, moving alongside Declan Rice. Composed display, not wasting a single pass in the first half.
Declan Rice – 7.5
Decent in setting the tempo and kept England ticking over, with a clever run to the byline to set up cross for Harry Kane.
Jarrod Bowen – 6
Offered some flashes of danger without delivering an end product. Industry without incision when trying to stake a claim.
Morgan Rogers – 7
Very lively in the middle on his full debut and showed signs of kicking on once more settled in this environment.
Morgan Rogers was a lively presence in midfield as he made his first full England debut
Jarrod Bowen was not able to find the back of the night after an evening toiling for England
Jude Bellingham – 6
Somewhat fortunate that the referee didn’t take a closer look at a sliding challenge on Raivis Jurkovskis when Bellingham was on a booking.
Marcus Rashford – 6.5
Much more involved than on Friday night. Made a real effort to get in amongst it and drive at defenders.
Harry Kane – 7
Pinned up against Latvia’s back five, much of the game played out behind him until later on. Ghosting in at the back post for his finish as you’d expect.
Kane’s inevitable goal came after he managed to shake off Latvia’s persistent back five
Returning Aston Villa star Marcus Rashford was more involved in play than against Albania
Eberechi Eze was a bright spark off the substitute’s bench for Thomas Tuchel to help the hosts confirm their spot at the summit of Group K
Subs
Eberechi Eze (for Bowen, 60) – 7
Phil Foden (for Bellingham, 67) – 6.5
Kyle Walker (for Lewis-Skelly, 79)
Curtis Jones (for Rashford, 79)
Jordan Henderson (for Rice, 79)
