England bounced back from their shock defeat against Greece and got their Nations League campaign back on track with a 3-1 win over Finland.
After Wednesday night’s experimental team selection, Lee Carsley went back to basics in search of a much needed win in Helsinki.
Trent Alexander-Arnold started in an unfamiliar left-back role but it was otherwise a far more conventional set-up with Cole Palmer replacing the injured Bukayo Saka on the right wing.
After a quiet start, England exploded into life in the 18th minute when Jack Grealish combined superbly with Angel Gomes and produced a neat finish.
The game appeared to ambling towards its conclusion before Alexander-Arnold produced the best moment of the contest with a superb free-kick to double the lead 16 minutes from the end.
And there was more to come from England who added a third six minutes from the end through Declan Rice, but there was to be no clean sheet for Dean Henderson who was beaten by Arttu Hoskonen’s header.
Dean Henderson -6
Handed only his second senior cap following Jordan Pickford’s night to forget against Greece the Crystal Palace No.1 equipped himself well but was never really tested as a result of Finland’s wayward finishing. Had no chance with Arttu Hoskonen’s free header.
Kyle Walker – 5
The Manchester City full-back was largely untroubled by Finland’s attack but failed to show many, if any, of his trademark surges into opposition territory.
John Stones – 6
Like his City colleague Walker, Stones was nowhere near his imperious best and largely coasted through the game.
Marc Guehi – 5
Another couple of defensive lapses from the Crystal Palace centre-half who is struggling to replicate the form he showed during the summer when he was arguably England’s best defender at the Euros.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7
Another new set of responsibilities for England’s Mr Versatile who, unsurprisingly, struggled to get to grips with the left-back role that he is arguably even less suited to than the midfield role he was tasked with during the summer. That said, there are few better players in world football from dead ball situations and you have to find room for him in your team for that alone.
Angel Gomes – 7
Another reputation enhancing evening for the new boy on the senior England scene. Showed the one true moment of invention on an otherwise underwhelming night for the Three Lions with a superb assists for Jack Grealish’s goal.
Declan Rice – 6
Steady but unspectacular from the Arsenal star who did his best to get forward and support the attack but rarely looked like representing a goal threat, until he popped up late on with his last touch of the game before being substituted.
Cole Palmer – 6
Replacing Bukayo Saka is not as easy at it seems. An injury to the Arsenal winger presented Palmer with a chance to play on the right wing but he produced arguably his least effective performance in a Three Lions shirt to date.
Jude Bellingham – 6
A couple of neat touches aside, it was a subdued display from the Real Madrid superstar who struggled to link with the likes of Palmer, Jack Grealish and Harry Kane.
Jack Grealish – 7
Fully back in the international fold and on the scoresheet again, Grealish capped an effective display with England’s well-taken opener that steadied a few nerves that were beginning to develop
Harry Kane – 5
Another quiet night for the skipper who was forced to drop deep in the first half in order to get himself into the game.
MORE : Cesc Fabregas sends message to Arsenal and Chelsea fans comparing Cole Palmer and Bukayo Saka
MORE : ‘Don’t go there’ – Cole Palmer reveals he was advised not to join Chelsea
MORE : Why Bukayo Saka isn’t playing for England against Finland tonight
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