NONI MADUEKE was determined to get England over the line during their laboured 1-0 win against Andorra in the World Cup qualifiers.
Harry Kane notched his 72nd goal for his country and Thomas Tuchel went rogue by starting Curtis Jones in right-back to make room for 34-year-old Jordan Henderson in the middle.
GettyEngland star Jude Bellingham laboured to a 1-0 draw against Andorra[/caption]
An uneventful first half saw the Three Lions BOOED off in the near empty RCDE Stadium in Barcelona.
Kane, who poked wide in the first 30 minutes, finally found a breakthrough when he smashed in Chelsea winger Madueke‘s quick low cross five minutes after the break.
But there’s reasons for concerns and holiday-mode England struggled to break down the home side’s bus-parking tactics – weeks after Albania put three goals away against Andorra.
However, Tuchel became the first England manager to win his first three games in charge, without conceding a single goal as his side remains top of Group K.
Here SunSport’s Charlie Wyett rates and slates the England players from sunny Spain.
Jordan Pickford – 5
As expected, a bystander in goal and Tuchel should have given James Trafford a debut.
Ezri Konsa – 5
Aston Villa star looks to be England’s first-choice central defender and he will not get an easier game than this.
Dan Burn – 4
It is now obvious that Tuchel loves the Newcastle defender and he has got a very good chance of going to the World Cup although some of his passing was dreadful.
The likes of Harry Maguire and Eric Dier must be peed off.
Reece James – 4
Just 24 hours after James said his best position was right-back, Thomas Tuchel played him at left-back.
He did not look that comfortable. He also produced a terrible delivery at a free-kick near the end.
Curtis Jones – 6
Played as an inverted right-back so had plenty of licence to get forward. Played a part in the opening goal with a clever pass to Kane.
Jude Bellingham – 5
Had the first shot of the game after 56 seconds but did not cause too many problems in his offensive midfield role.
Jordan Henderson – 5
Cap no 84 for the Ajax midfielder although this was his first start since November 2023.
You can see why Tuchel wants a player of his experience but he did not have much influence here
Morgan Rogers – 5
Delivered some silky skills which caused Andorra a few problems but lacked an end product.
Cole Palmer – 6
Has been on fire in training during the week in Girona but did not really get involved although saw plenty of the ball.
Noni Madueke – 7
England’s best player although should have scored in injury-time.
Was particularly bright in the first half and played a part in the opening goal.
Harry Kane – 6
Missed a couple of chances but finally got his goal shortly into the second. It was his 450th career goal.
SUBS
Trent Alexander-Arnold (for Henderson,64) -5
Eberechi Eze (for Palmer,65)- 5
Declan Rice (for Jones, 80)- 5
Anthony Gordon(for Rogers, 80) – 5
Morgan Gibbs-White (for Bellingham, 90+1) – 5
Subs not used: D Henderson, Trafford, Walker, Colwill, Toney, Lewis-Skelly, Chalobah.
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