Raheem Sterling – 8/10
A poor first touch suggested that Raheem Sterling was set to play out a nervous game for his second cap, but the Liverpool winger quickly grew into the game, and upon gaining his confidence the 19 year-old started taking on his man with increasing success. One of the few bright sparks for England.
Voted Andy Townsend’s man of the match, if that means anything to anyone in the world.
Jack Wilshere – 6/10
Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere had a couple of moments when he received the ball on the half turn and began some attacking moves, but the he was one of the players England were depending on to increase the tempo.
He was certainly culpable in contributing to the slowness of the game, keeping it far too safe on occasion.
That may be intelligent play due to the patience required in international football, but given the talent of the 22 year-old Gunners star, we can’t help but expect more.
Wayne Rooney – 5/10
Here’s a controversial hypothesis: maybe Wayne Rooney is the biggest problem with the England team.
Everyone seems so certain Rooney is the best player that he is deployed in the centre forward role and his team-mates attempt to play through him all the time.
If the Manchester United attacker is not on top of his game though, suddenly his first touch is a clearance and he plays in blinkers, spreading the ball wide to full backs and wingers.
We can only remember one moment he stepped up with some fine play, suddenly accelerating the tempo at the end of the first half to play in Ashley Cole, who crossed for Raheem Sterling to hit the post.
Other than that, he failed to offer Daniel Sturridge the movement Luis Suarez does – visibly frustrating the Liverpool star – and perhaps being shifted back to the attacking midfield position could prove a worthwhile experiment.
Daniel Sturridge – 7/10
Daniel Sturridge appeared bemused at the ponderous nature of England’s play against Denmark, with no movement or pace matching that he receives at Liverpool – even though four of his Anfield team-mates in Glen Johnson, Jordan Henderson, Steven Gerrard and Raheem Sterling were involved in the game.
Perhaps Roy Hodgson just brings everyone down.
Still, once Sturridge gave himself a free role instead of being shackled to the right, the 24 year-old started to become more of a threat, and scored the winning goal with a fine header.