Raheem Sterling produced a captain’s performance as England beat Ivory Coast 3-0 at Wembley.
In the absence of Harry Kane from the Three Lions’ starting XI, the Manchester City forward was handed the armband and led by example.
Sterling was both provider and goal-scorer - setting up Ollie Watkins for England’s opener, before getting on the score sheet himself before half time. Tyrone Mings added a third late on.
On a night when Jude Bellingham also impressed in the No10 role, James Robson rated Gareth Southgate’s players...
Nick Pope 5
A spectator for virtually all of the match, such was the lack of threat posed by Ivory Coast.
Ben White 6
Very sharp to keep Cornet at bay when the winger looked set to burst free in the first half. Looked comfortable enough even playing out of position.
Harry Maguire 6
Senseless boos from England fans when he is name was called out and again on occasions when he was on the ball. Did nothing wrong – but hardly tested either.
Tyrone Mings 6
Like Maguire, he was largely untroubled. Was not afraid to pick up the ball and run from deep areas with it - and completed the scoring with his late header.
Tyrick Mitchell 7
No sense of nerves. Happy pushing high in support on the left. One first half cross-shot might have led to an opener for England
James Ward-Prowse 7
His delivery is so good – either from open play or set pieces. On a number of occasions England could have taken more advantage of his service. Close to scoring a wonder goal from 40 yards.
Declan Rice 7
Strode through the middle of the pitch in dominant fashion. Was not content just to sit deep, instead squeezing the Ivorians deeper and deeper into Header could have been better first half
Raheem Sterling 9
Wore the captain’s armband and put in true skipper’s performance.
His clever feet and cross set up Watkins’ goal. He then got on the scoresheet himself with a bursting run and shot, before being alert enough to convert when Grealish cut the rebound back to him.
Jude Bellingham 8
Interesting decision to play him at No10, given England have so many other players who want to fill that role. But he showed his quality in an attacking role that was full of menace, linking midfield and attack by picking up the ball and running with it central areas.
Jack Grealish 7
Full of tricks to turn opponents inside out and force increasingly desperate challenges. His cut back for Sterling’s goal was beautifully disguised.
Ollie Watkins 7
In the right place at the right time to score. England’s back-up strikers have to make their mark on the rare occasions Kane is rested – and he did that.
Substitutes
Kyle Walker-Peters (White, 46) 6
Offered more of an attacking threat down the right and took up some dangerous positions to stretch Ivory Coast.
Luke Shaw (Mitchell, 62) 6
Could not get on the score sheet this time, but this was another positive performance in an England shirt, getting up in support on the left.
Emile Smith Rowe (Grealish, 62) 5
Burst of energy and creativity immediately had the opposition backpedalling.
Phil Foden (Sterling, 62) 5
Got plenty of touches of the ball, as you would expect, but never really opened Ivory Coast up.
Harry Kane (Watkins, 62) 5
Absolutely desperate to move a step closer to Wayne Rooney’s England record, but did not get a sniff at goal after coming on.
Conor Gallagher (Ward-Prowse, 79)
More minutes in an England shirt will do him no harm at all.
