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England ratings: Everything Three Lions do goes through Saka but Chilwell offers precious little going forward


ENGLAND made it two wins from two in their bid to reach Euro 2024.

After dispatching Italy 2-1 on Thursday, the Three Lions fired two more goals past Ukraine at Wembley today.

Goals from Bukayo Saka and Harry Kane saw England beat Ukraine 2-0Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun

Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka were both on target as Gareth Southgate’s men also kept a clean sheet in the 2-0 victory.

And there was even a debut for Brentford star Ivan Toney after Leicester’s James Maddison was handed his first-ever international start.

But who was England’s best player on the day? And did anyone have a game to forget?

Here, SunSport’s Jack Rosser delivers his England player ratings…

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JORDAN PICKFORD – 6

Didn’t have anything to save nor shout about ahead of him, with his back four stopping everything from coming his way.

KYLE WALKER – 7

Comfortably won the battle with Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk, setting the tone in the opening stages as he raced ahead of him to cut out a couple of through balls.

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The Manchester City man combined well with Saka on the front foot too, still charging forwards in the final moments.

JOHN STONES – 7

Had very little to do throughout the first half was sharp and alert in the penalty area when Ukraine became a little more adventurous after the break.

John Stones saw plenty of the ball

HARRY MAGUIRE – 6

Was in the right spot to block a cross from Mykhailo Mudryk during a rare Ukraine break in the first half, and showed plenty of composure on the ball.

James Maddison did well in his first start for EnglandCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun

BEN CHILWELL – 5

Started off by clattering Ruslan Malinovskyl, but on the ball was nervy early on and offered precious little going forward, with his set pieces hardly testing the visitors.

The Chelsea man was solid at the back but far from the rampaging full-back so often seen at Stamford Bridge, only starting to get going in the final third inside the last few minutes.

DECLAN RICE – 7

After a stunning performance against Italy, the West Ham captain kept a tight grip on the midfield battle here.

Rice sat at the base of a midfield three allowing Henderson and Bellingham to push further forward, while he snuffed out any advances from those in yellow.

JORDAN HENDERSON – 7

Straight back in the side having missed the trip to Naples, Henderson looked sharp on the edge of the Ukraine box throughout the first half, getting a reward for his efforts with an assist for Saka.

Influence faded a touch as Ukraine stepped things up after the break but a solid showing.

Bellingham performed well in midfield
Jude Bellingham impressed in midfield againCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun

JUDE BELLINGHAM – 8

A quiet first half but started causing trouble soon after the break, so much so that Georgiy Sudakov lost a boot trying to stop him.

With Phil Foden having withdrawn after surgery ahead of kick-off, the Borussia Dortmund midfielder showed versatility as he chopped and changed positions with Maddison on the left wing.

BUKAYO SAKA – 8

Everything went through the Arsenal man during the first half. Saka tested the Ukraine defence before timing a cross perfectly to tee-up the opener.

Minutes later he went one better, leaving Mykola Matviyenko stranded and bending his stunning strike into the far corner.

Bukayo Saka was England’s man of the match

JAMES MADDISON – 6

Constantly alive and on the move on his first start for England, but the Leicester City man will have hoped for more.

Worked himself into a number of good positions but was just lacking the final pass or finish when it was needed.

James Maddison enjoyed his first start for England
Ivan Toney made his debut off the benchCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun

HARRY KANE – 8

Had a couple of swings and misses at chances early on but showed why he is so dangerous with the opener.

Kane dropped deep and swung a long ball out to Saka, before racing to the back post where he was able to capitalise on sloppy defending and make it two in two during this break.

SUBSTITUTES

Ivan Toney (on for Kane, 81mins) – 6

Not given much time to impress on his England debut.

Jack Grealish (on for Maddison, 85mins) – 6

The only winger left to call on following a raft of withdrawals, came close to adding a third in injury time but his low effort was too close to the keeper.

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Conor Gallagher (on for Bellingham, 85mins) – 7

Came so close to a first England goal after meeting a low cross from Chilwell which was sent straight at the keeper, should have had an assist after setting up Grealish in added time.


Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk


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