JORDAN PICKFORD illustrated why he is England’s No1 with an accomplished performance in their 2-1 win over Switzerland.
But Mason Mount looked out of sorts as the Chelsea man failed to impact the match at Wembley Stadium.
Shaw scored his second international goal to level things up after England went behindCredit: PA
Breel Embolo gave the visitors the lead midway through the first half with a textbook header following a superb delivery from Xherdan Shaqiri.
In first half stoppage time Luke Shaw levelled for Gareth Southgate’s men, thumping home from the edge of the area.
And captain Harry Kane won the game for England in the 78th minute, lashing home a penalty after Marc Guehi headed into the outstretched arm of Steven Zuber.
Here is how SunSport’s Dylan Terry rated each England player’s performance.
Jordan Pickford – 8
Pickford made several superb saves to deny SwitzerlandCredit: Reuters
Made a smart stop down to his left from Xhaka in the first half and followed that up moments later with a sensational reflex parry onto the bar.
With the back five crumbling around him inside the opening 30 minutes, Pickford stood up and made the saves which kept England in the game.
Under pressure from Aaron Ramsdale, Pickford continues to use England as a happy release from his struggles for Everton.
FA pay tribute to SunSport hero Paul Jiggins ahead of England vs Switzerland
Kyle Walker-Peters – 6
One of two England debutants, Walker-Peters missed a sitter in the first 45 before thankfully seeing the offside flag go up to spare his blushes.
The delivery he is so renowned for at St Mary’s was lacking, but he wasn’t helped out by Foden’s desire to drift into a central role – leaving Walker-Peters isolated on the right.
Would have impressed Southgate when he won the ball back high up the pitch moments before Shaw equalised.
Walker-Peters made his England debut against SwitzerlandCredit: Getty
Marc Guehi – 6
Got caught a bit flat-footed a couple of times as the Swiss forward line found space around the back of the England defence.
The left side of England’s back five looked particularly vulnerable – with Switzerland often finding room to create in between Guehi and Shaw.
Grew into the game and finished it strongly – understandable given his lack of experience.
Ben White – 6
Came in for John Stones just minutes before kick-off after the Manchester City man was injured in the warm-up.
The Arsenal defender’s calmness on the ball and pinpoint distribution showed he could be the antidote to Harry Maguire’s shortcomings.
But he also showed his own fragility, losing Embolo when the Swiss striker peeled around the back and nodded home the opener.
Conor Coady – 6
With Stones pulling up moments before the match, Coady suddenly found himself the most experienced international centre-back in England’s starting line-up.
Was commanding from set-pieces at points when England were coming under a little pressure, but does not look capable enough at the heart of an international defence.
Luke Shaw – 6
Shaw was caught out of position when he committed himself high up the pitch – often showing the defensive frailties he has been criticised for while playing for Man Utd in recent months.
But he gave England fans a throwback to his goal in the Euros final by showing them how well he can strike the ball in the final third – bagging his second for his country.
Was hooked on the hour mark to make way for debutant Tyrick Mitchell.
The game seemed to pass Palace midfielder Gallagher byCredit: AFP
Was full of energy and application but struggled to find his feet in the game in the first half – albeit registering an assist for Shaw’s equaliser.
Clipped a nice ball over the top for Kane in the second period but the striker couldn’t prod beyond Jonas Omlin.
Came off after an hour as Southgate shook things up with four changes.
Jordan Henderson – 7
Evidently England’s best starting midfielder in the match, he consistently won the ball back and snuffed out danger early on.
But when Rice emerged it was clear the West Ham man is by some distance England’s best player when it comes to retaining possession.
Phil Foden – 7
Foden looked like England’s most creative outletCredit: Getty
Played as the link between the midfield and Kane very effectively at times – almost acting as a second striker alongside the Tottenham man.
Definitely looked the most likely player to make something happen for the Three Lions.
Seems to be developing a positive understanding with captain Kane.
Mason Mount – 4
Was a passenger for much of the first half as he seemed to be dropping deeper into the midfield to play alongside Gallagher and Henderson.
Never looked a threat going forward – indicative of a player who has only scored one Premier League goal since Christmas.
Replaced by Grealish 15 minutes into the second half after a difficult evening.
Harry Kane – 6
Some decent link-ups with Foden was about as good as it got for Kane in the first period.
The England skipper held up the ball to bring others into play but failed to really threaten in the final third – until he won the game from the penalty spot and equalled Sir Bobby Charlton’s tally of 49 goals in the process.
Looked more Kane-like in the final quarter of an hour, though Southgate will want him much more involved against Ivory Coast on Tuesday.
Subs
Jack Grealish (for Mount on 61 mins) – 7
Injected some much-needed energy into the game when he came on as the crowd favourite brought his X factor quality to the team.
Drifts in and out of the match but the opposition always remains wary, enabling others to pick up pockets of space.
Declan Rice (for Gallagher on 61 mins) – 7
Showed his class on the ball when he came on. Clearly England’s most accomplished player when attempting to dictate the tempo of the match.
The first name on the team sheet for the World Cup.
Raheem Sterling (for Walker-Peters on 61 mins) – 6
Played on the right of a midfield four after coming off the bench.
Didn’t see much of the ball as Grealish received most of the service out on the left. Looked threatening in the closing stages but couldn’t pick anyone out with his back post cross.
Tyrick Mitchell (for Shaw on 61 mins) – 6
Gained valuable experience and did not put a foot wrong at the back when he came on for his debut.
Jude Bellingham (for Phil Foden on 80 mins) – 6
Helped out the defensive effort in the closing stages with an important clearance from a dangerous delivery.
Ollie Watkins (for Kane on 89 mins)
Barely had time for a touch of the ball before the full-time whistle went.
