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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Simon Burnton at Wembley

England 2-1 Switzerland: player ratings from the Wembley friendly

Conor Gallagher injected energy in to the England midfield and also create an opening for Harry Kane.
Conor Gallagher injected energy in to the England midfield and also create an opening for Harry Kane. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian


England (3-5-2)

Jordan Pickford (GK) Distribution was not perfect, but not at fault for the goal and pulled off a superb save to push Fabian Frei’s half-volley on to the bar. 8

Ben White (RCB) Started as one of three centre-backs, then moved to right-back when Walker-Peters went off. One lovely long pass to Foden in the first half, but sometimes seemed off the pace defensively. 6

Conor Coady (CB) A decent display at the heart of England’s defence, and commanding in the air. Had the better of a couple of muscular confrontations with Embolo. 6

Marc Guéhi |(LCB) As left-sided centre-back was most exposed to an on-song Shaqiri and allowed the Swiss to cut inside too easily on occasions. First to rebound when Shaqiri’s shot was saved in the first half. 6

Kyle Walker-Peters (RWB) Often in space on the right but his crossing was not threatening. Excellent diving interception led to England’s equaliser at the end of the first half. 7

Conor Gallagher (CM) A pressing machine, whose enthusiasm was impressive and engaging. A few good moments on the ball, including a chipped pass to create a chance for Kane and an assist for the equaliser. 8

Marc Guéhi gets the better of Xherdan Shaqiri but was given a tough night by the Switzerland playmaker on his debut.
Marc Guéhi gets the better of Xherdan Shaqiri but was given a tough night by the Switzerland playmaker on his debut. Photograph: FreshFocus/MB Media/Getty Images

Jordan Henderson (CM) Looked more comfortable when Rice arrived to assist his previously lonely efforts in central midfield. As ever, made himself available as a passing option when England had the ball. 7

Mason Mount (CM) It was telling that of all the moments Mount was involved in the greatest cheer was for his substitution. Plenty of effort, but it didn’t quite click. 6

Luke Shaw (LWB) Credit for a perfectly timed run and shot for England’s equaliser, but not always so convincing in defence and might have done more to block Shaqiri’s cross for the visitor’s goal. 6

Phil Foden (CF) Marginally the best of England’s attacking players in the first half and it was his willingness to chase an apparently lost cause that led to Frei’s mistake and England’s equaliser. 7

Harry Kane (CF) Not the captain’s finest international hour. Too many touches into trouble, passes incomplete and efforts on goal lacking conviction – though not when he got a chance from the penalty spot. 6

Substitutes
Raheem Sterling
(for Walker-Peters, 61) 6 Part of the improvement after the switch to 4-2-3-1 with an hour played.
Tyrick Mitchell (for Shaw, 61) 6 Notably nutmegged by Mbabu and Zaqiri within five minutes of coming on. But an excellent cross for Kane.
Declan Rice (for Gallagher, 61) 7 For all Gallagher’s exuberance England were much better when Rice brought more solidity.
Jack Grealish (for Mount, 61) 7 Provided a couple of his trademark jinking runs.
Bellingham (for Foden, 80) 6 Not enough time to catch the eye.
Watkins (for Kane, 88) 6 Mainly served to give crowd a reason to applaud Kane.

Switzerland

Omlin; Widmer (Mbabu 36), Akanji, Frei, Rodríguez; Freuler (Zuber 63), Xhaka; Steffen (Zeqiri 62); Shaqiri (Aebischer 80), Vargas (Sow 63); Embolo (Gavranović 80)
Subs not used Von Ballmoos, Elvedi, Okafor; Lotomba, Cömert, Kobel

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