England faced Peru in an international friendly at Wembley Stadium with Liverpool star Daniel Sturridge and Leighton Baines of Everton shining. Read player ratings here.
Joe Hart: 7/10
Although England’s defence fell asleep on two occasions as Glen Johnson played Peru players onside, Joe Hart was very alert, racing off his line to cover both times.
The Manchester City man was also on hand when a shot deflected off Johnson’s foot, but was not deceived by the altered trajectory and saved well.
An encouraging and commanding performance – even though he had relatively little to do.
Glen Johnson: 6/10
I feel like I’ve typed this many times before: Glen Johnson was great going forward, a constant outlet on the right flank who is always comfortable in possession. It was the Liverpool man’s hard work pressing Peru’s left back that earned England a throw in high on the right, which he took to club colleague Daniel Sturridge, who fired in a superb strike.
I’ve typed this plenty of times too: Glen Johnson was not particularly brilliant defensively. His timing of the tackle remains excellent, but too often he is caught ball-watching while the rest of the defensive line steps up and ends up playing the runner onside.
Johnson can be both a strength and a weakness for both club and country. England will need to play on the front foot to ensure he proves himself worthwhile.
Leighton Baines: 8/10
In the first half, Leighton Baines played the opposite of a typical Leighton Baines game. He was assured, and slightly conservative in defence in comparison to his usual club performances, but set piece delivery was surprisingly poor early on.
He was only found in the opposition box from the hour mark, but that suggests a maturity and gradual acclimatisation to international football now he is first choice – and perhaps a desire to emulate the stability Ashley Cole provided for the Three Lions before him.
As the Everton left back grew in confidence, his delivery from dead balls improved too – and he assisted both England centre backs from corner kicks in the second half.
Gary Cahill: 7/10
Gary Cahill was part of the best defensive partnership in the Premier League with John Terry at Chelsea, but in the absence of his club partner, who has retired from international football, he has formed a cohesive partnership with Phil Jagielka at the back.
Cahill and Jagielka were bisected only twice during the game, but each occasion was thanks to Glen Johnson’s rather liberal interpretation of the offside trap.
While Cahill was perhaps fortunate to get away with a clumsy challenge in the area, he did well to double England’s lead with a fine header.
Phil Jagielka: 7/10
Everton captain Phil Jagielka read the game well, and could frequently be seen pointing his team-mates into position.
The England centre back was quick to react to a goalkeeper mistake from Peru’s Raul Fernandez to add gloss to the scoreline, and provided a superb block to prevent the visitors getting on the scoresheet.
Steven Gerrard: 7/10
Peru’s game plan appeared to centre on pressing Steven Gerrard, and the Liverpool man was occasionally rushed in possession.
Once England took the lead, the pressure on the skipper eased, and he was able to keep the ball better – up until his substitution just after the hour mark.
Jordan Henderson: 7/10
Jordan Henderson found himself with the freedom of the park in the first half, with the Peru side willing to press everyone but him.
While that may seem like something of a slight on the creativity of the Liverpool man, Henderson is in the team for his defensive efforts rather than to break down defences, and did nothing wrong throughout.
Adam Lallana: 6/10
Prior to England’s goal, Adam Lallana had produced the single best piece of play for England, dribbling past a couple of Peru players to force his way into the box, giving Daniel Sturridge a shooting opportunity.
The Southampton playmaker was quieter in the second half, but his work rate, movement and skill using either foot makes him an intriguing option for future games.
Danny Welbeck: 7/10
Danny Welbeck produced some neat touches, and his underrated close control won England some free kicks in promising positions.
The Manchester United forward worked extremely hard both on and off the ball too, but the overriding feeling before kickoff and during the game was simply that it was a shame Raheem Sterling did not start.
The Liverpool starlet’s classy movement, dribbling and pace could have unlocked the Peru defence far earlier and more often than the eventual result, and England – and Welbeck – were missing the spark he provides.
Still, Welbeck rarely plays badly for England, and has proven himself a more consistent performer than Red Devils team-mate Wayne Rooney.
Wayne Rooney: 5/10
Everyone always says Wayne Rooney is the most talented English player. In the first half of this game he looked like a fan competition winner who’d been awarded the chance to play with his heroes.
He improved little in his fifteen minutes after the break, and he looked as rusty as could be expected of a player who hasn’t had any first team action for a month.
It appeared that Hodgson had spent much of his team talk explaining to Rooney where he wanted him to play, and he gradually started to involve himself more in play, but too often his first touch let him down.
The good news was that he looked in extremely good shape for a player who has not made an impact on a major tournament since Euro 2004. The bad news was that he did very little in attack.
England have long built their team around Wayne Rooney. Despite a fine club season for Manchester United, he has work to do to justify such a major role in the side.
Daniel Sturridge: 7/10
After a scrappy opening half hour, Daniel Sturridge produced a moment of magic to break the deadlock, curling in a wonderful shot from the edge of the area.
Prior to his goal, Sturridge had looked laboured, often miscontrolling upon receiving the ball, but a fine finish brought him confidence, and he subsequently improved in possession.
Substitutes: on next page
Jack Wilshere (on for Gerrard – 64): 7/10
Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere showed some exceptional touches and great vision after coming on as a substitute.
Perhaps unlucky not to start the game, but understandable given his lack of recent minutes and Roy Hodgson likely to want to watch Jordan Henderson alongside Liverpool colleague Steven Gerrard.
Raheem Sterling (on for Rooney – 66): 7/10
Raheem Sterling is deceptively strong on the ball, and his trickery and speed over the ground makes him a nightmare for defenders.
The Liverpool teenager showed enough to warrant a start in one of the next two friendlies, for he did something positive every time he touched the ball.
James Milner (on for Adam Lallana – 73): 7/10
Man City’s James Milner was quietly impressive in both positions he played – on the right wing and in central midfield. He won’t let anyone down this summer whatever role he is called upon to perform.
Chris Smalling (on for Phil Jagielka – 73): 6/10
Man Utd defender Chris Smalling didn’t put a foot wrong, but as Peru’s ambition petered out, he had hardly a chance to shine.
John Stones (on for Leighton Baines – 75): 6/10
A slightly nervous international debut for Everton youngster John Stones, who is far more effective at centre back than at right back, where he ended up playing.
Ross Barkley (on for Daniel Sturridge – 82): 7/10
Some nifty footwork from Ross Barkley immediately eased him into the game, and the Everton attacking midfielder set up a fine chance for Raheem Sterling late on.