ENGLAND booked their place at Euro 2020 with a magnificent seven goals against hapless Montenegro.
Gareth Southgate’s side were a class apart against their poor opponents to ensure they qualified for next year’s finals – where the semis and final itself will be played at Wembley.
England cruised to a seven goal win as they turned on the style against MontenegroCredit: Reuters
The Three Lions banished all the talk of the Raheem Sterling bust-up to the past as they turned on the style – including captain Harry Kane hitting a first-half hat-trick.
But Kane wasn’t the only one to capture the eye of SunSport’s Martin Lipton as he gave his ratings on the performances of the England stars.
Jordan Pickford
Two fine saves, especially the fabulous flying leap to deny Aleksander Sofranac’s bullet header, showed why Southgate has no doubts the Everton keeper is his No 1.
Other than that, he was mainly a spectator. 8
Trent Alexander-Arnold
The fight to start at right-back might be the toughest contest in Southgate’s squad.
The Liverpool man looks to have jumped to the front of the queue and the delivery for Kane’s third showed why. 7
John Stones
A couple of questionable moments but Stones needed a clean sheet for his confidence and belief.
He still has plenty to do to guarantee his starting place at Euro 2020 and the jury is still out. 6
Ben Chilwell looks established as the first-choice left-back and created three goalsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Harry Maguire
The rock at the heart of Southgate’s rearguard and one of the racing certainties to start when it matters. Close to a goal as well and looked composed and calm. 7
Ben Chilwell
A hat-trick of assists inside the first 25 minutes. You can’t do much better than that.
The Leicester man, fitness permitting, will surely be Southgate’s first choice left back next summer. 9
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
The perfect way to mark his return to the starting side after 18 injury-ruined months.
The Liverpool man’s strike opened the floodgates and his movement and penetration were excellent. 8
Harry Winks
Spurs midfielder kept things ticking over in his trademark fashion.
There is a battle for the holding role but back to back performances of poise and balance suggest Winks might be edging into pole position. 7
Mason Mount
Chelsea starlet went under the radar slightly but still played his part in the victory romp.
He has made himself a potential starter for the Finals, which he could surely never have anticipated at the start of the season. 7
Jadon Sancho
Showed no signs of his recent problems at Borussia Dortmund as his pace unhinged Montenegro from the start.
Maybe the absent Sterling might have had a field day as well, but Sancho was a constant terror. 8
Harry Kane
He shoots, he scores. Again and again and again.
A third England hat-trick, the highest-scoring Three Lions skipper, most goals in a single qualifying campaign.
It is surely a matter of time before all the other records go to him as well. 9
Harry Maguire is the defensive rock but the same cannot be said for John Stones right nowCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Marcus Rashford
Lively from the start and enjoying playing in that white shirt. His goal was quality, too, keeping his head in a crowded box before picking his spot. Rashford remains a key asset. 7
Subs
James Maddison (for Oxlade-Chamberlain, 57): It’s been a bit of a wait but now he is an England international. Arrived with flicks, tricks and plenty of vision. 6
Tammy Abraham (for Kane, 57): Got the sort of run he would have wanted and the debut goal he has craved as well. Suspect the Chelsea man agrees choosing England over Nigeria was the right call. 7
Joe Gomez (for Mount, 70): Boos when he came on to the field were unjustified and unkind. The Liverpool defender was the victim on Monday, not the guilty party. Strange birds, England fans. 6
Harry Kane now England’s sixth top scorer, eclipsing Shearer, Lofthouse and Finney with quickfire hat-trick in 1,000th game
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
