England player ratings: Angel Gomes and Trent Alexander-Arnold shine in Wembley win over Finland
England 2-0 Iceland: Harry Kane was the star of the show with a second-half brace on his 100th cap but there were some outstanding performances from his supporting cast
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Your support makes all the difference.England saw off a stubborn Finland at Wembley with a 2-0 win to continue their perfect start to the Nations League campaign under new interim manager Lee Carsley.
Harry Kane scored twice on his 100th appearance for his country while wearing golden boots – having been presented with a golden cap before kick-off.
Here is how the England players rated.
Jordan Pickford, 5: Almost pickpocketed by Teemu Pukki in the early moments after taking a needless touch, on an otherwise quiet night.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, 8: Enjoyed himself in a floating role from right-back and played some pinpoint passes, the pick of the bunch either his pre-assist for Kane’s second goal or his faded through-ball for Eberechi Eze a few minutes earlier. Not the most taxing night defensively but this was a dazzling display of Alexander-Arnold’s supreme technique.
Ezri Konsa, 6: Made a couple of important challenges and played a lovely pass in between two defenders to find Saka’s arcing run in behind in the first half. Came off on the hour after a knock.
John Stones, 6: Composed and controlled on the ball.
Rico Lewis, 6: Good challenge on the cover to deny Pukki a clear sight of goal in the first half, and smart in possession.
Angel Gomes, 8: Stitched play together neatly from deep and constantly looked to make probing forward balls on his first senior start for England. The Lille midfielder showed off his technical gifts, and an important challenge in the first half to stop a counter-attack also showed the more combative side to his game.
Declan Rice, 6: Offered up a horrendous air kick in the early stages but otherwise a solid if unspectacular performance by the midfielder.
Jack Grealish, 6: Bright and positive, looking to go forwards whenever he got the ball, but lacked a cutting edge in the final third.
Anthony Gordon, 7: Ripped apart his full-back with a number of searing dribbles.
Bukayo Saka, 7: Made some intelligent runs in behind the Finnish defence but couldn’t quite find the final pass.
Harry Kane, 9: Denied by the assistant’s flag after straying just offside in the first half, but nothing was going to stop the captain – wearing golden boots on his 100th appearance – from scoring. His first goal was brilliantly created and finished, his second excellently placed.
Substitutes: Colwill, 5; Eze, 5; Madueke, 6; Guehi, 5; Bowen, 6.
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