England player ratings: Ross Barkley dazzles, Callum Hudson-Odoi impresses while Harry Kane nets another in ruthless Euro 2020 qualifier
ENGLAND put in another five-star display after they thumped Montenegro 5-1 to make it two wins out of two in Euro 2020 qualifiers.
Gareth Southgate’s side went behind at the Podgorica City Stadium, but goals from Ross Barkley, Michael Keane, Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling made it a night to savour for the travelling fans.
JORDAN PICKFORD
No chance for the goal and only one other save in what was another quiet qualifier. Will return to Everton in good spirits after a rough few weeks. 7
KYLE WALKER
Had plenty to do in the first half as most of the home attacks came down his right. The second half was a cakewalk. 7
MICHAEL KEANE
Showed character to bounce back after an iffy start. At fault for the goal but did not let that affect him and redeemed himself with a fine header. 7
HARRY MAGUIRE
Composed, made some important tackles and proved he is turning into a solid international defender. The fans sung about him throughout and Gareth Southgate will also have been pleased. 7
DANNY ROSE
Preferred to Ben Chilwell and played well until a moment in the second half when he lost the ball and Adam Marusic should have scored. But Rose was still full of energy and will fight for that spot. 7
ROSS BARKLEY
Best performance for England – two goals and an assist. Excellent free-kick for the opener, quick reflexes for his first goal and a smooth finish for the second. 9
DECLAN RICE
First start for England, looked solid enough although found himself bypassed for the home goal. But kept calm in some difficult moments and some of his tackling was brilliant. 7
DELE ALLI
Would probably had been on the bench had Jordan Henderson been 100 per cent fit. Worked hard, kept the ball moving and certainly looked sharper than he did against the Czech Republic. 7
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
RAHEEM STERLING
Relatively quiet first half but caused absolute carnage in the second half. Two fine assists followed by a classy finish for 5-1 – it has been a brilliant few days for Sterling. 8
HARRY KANE
Not too many chances, not protected by the officials but still played a part in the second goal – and then had a nice easy goal to make it 4-1 – and 17 in 20 games for Southgate. 7
CALLUM HUDSON-ODOI
The dream continues. Great full debut. Dangerous when swapping onto the left and his shot was turned in by Barkley – but still looked chuffed while he had a good shot saved. 8
Subs: Henderson (for Alli 63) Easy run-out for 50th cap. 7. Ward-Prowse (for Barkley 81 mins). Short run-out for second cap. 6. Wilson (for Kane 83 mins). Not much chance to shine.
NIGHT TO REMEMBER
Subs not used: Heaton, Butland, Trippier, Henderson, Tarkowski, Chilwell, Sancho
Montenegro: 4-4-2: Petkovic 6, Stojkovic 6, Savic 6, Simic 6 (Jovovic 74 mins 5), Tomasevic 5, Marusic 5, Ivanic 6, Vukcevic 6, Vesovic 7 (Boljevic 70 mins 6), Beciraj 6 (Jankovic 61 mins 5), Mugosa 6.
Subs not used: Mikatovic, Ljuljanovic, Kopitovic, Bakic, Bakic, Djordjevic, Kajevic, Kosovic, Scekic, Radunovic.
