England player ratings vs Andorra: Noni Madueke states starting case but Cole Palmer frustrated | OneFootball

Contrasting fortunes for Chelsea stars as Three Lions labour against minnows in unconvincing win

England produced a lethargic performance as they ran out 1-0 winners over minnows Andorra, the nation ranked 173rd in the world.

The Three Lions failed to make a breakthrough in the first half, eventually scoring the only goal on 50 minutes as Noni Madueke crossed for Harry Kane to apply a close-range finish.

Standard Sport’s Dom Smith was on hand to rate the England players’ performances…

Jordan Pickford 5

Had very little to do all afternoon.

Curtis Jones 6

Did well in that inverted right-back role. Made one smart pass which contributed to Kane’s goal, then went into midfield after the changes.

Ezri Konsa 6

The Aston Villa man was assured at the back for England, whose defenders spent a lot of time on the ball, aiming passes out wide and into midfield. One smart block to kill off an Andorra counter-attack late on.

Dan Burn 5

Looks set to be a key man for England under Tuchel but had an iffy day at the office here. Miscontrolled and gave away a needless free-kick in the first half and also played a poor pass which almost went into touch. Otherwise OK.

Reece James 6

Asked to play in the less familiar left-back position but fulfilled the task well, releasing Madueke with one excellent, incisive pass. Struck a poor direct free-kick which flew miles over late on.

Jude Bellingham 6

Tried to make things happen and showed good footwork at moments. Didn’t have a huge amount of luck in the final third, though.

Jordan Henderson 6

The 34-year-old’s involvement in the England set-up under Tuchel is much-criticised, but this was a confident performance from the Ajax man, who won the ball back quickly after England lost it and then sought to move it on at pace.

Cole Palmer 5

A difficult afternoon for the Chelsea man. Found himself thwarted by Andorra, before being substituted on 64 minutes.

Morgan Rogers 6

Acquitted himself well, showing off his fancy footwork to beat three defenders with one mazy run in the first half. Looks like he’ll play a fair amount under the new manager.

Noni Madueke 7

England’s brightest player throughout. Did well on the left, taking on his man and assisting Kane for the game’s only goal. Then went out to the right flank for the final 25 minutes but was still effective.

Should have scored his first international goal with a chance in the final minute of stoppage time.

Harry Kane 7

Will have been desperate to find the net against such limited opposition and thus relieved when he did so. On hand to control Madueke’s bobbly cross and steer in for his 72nd goal for his country.

Subs

Eberechi Eze (Henderson, 64’) 6

So nearly made it two England goals in his last two games when his header was expertly tipped over the bar by goalkeeper Iker Alvarez.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (Palmer, 64’) 5

Went into his favoured right-back position when he came on, allowing Jones to play further up. Didn’t take too many risks.

Anthony Gordon (Rogers, 81’) N/A

Declan Rice (Jones, 81’) N/A

Morgan Gibbs-White (Bellingham, 90+3’) N/A

Not used: Henderson, Trafford, Lewis-Skelly, Chalobah, Colwill, Walker, Toney.