England player ratings

GK: Joe Hart - 6
Solid display. Little to do but came for crosses with great assurance. Left flat footed for Pirlo's stunning late free kick. Could do nothing about goals.

LB: Leighton Baines - 4
Terrorised by Candreva and Darmian. Delivery extremely poor by his high standards. Multiple corners wasted by poor delivery. Anyone miss Ashley Cole?

CB: Gary Cahill - 7
Kept Balotelli quiet for most of the game. Dominant in the air, and great tackle at the death to prevent Italy scoring a late 3rd.

CB: Phil Jagielka - 6
Solid at the back. Had little to do due to lack of attacking threat from Italy

RB: Glen Johnson - 5
All to predictable coming forward, yet did try and come forward at every given opportunity. Out of position for Balotelli's goal.

CM: Steven Gerrard - 6
Like Baines, struggled with set pieces. Fired late set piece over the bar. Work cut out against brilliance if Italian midfield trio in Marchisio, De Rossi and Pirlo.

CM: Jordan Henderson - 7
Remarkable transformation into a competent International midfielder. Work rate and energy vital. Coped with Italy's midfield threat well.

RW: Danny Welbeck - 7
Can't understand some of the criticism he's received. Threatening in attack and tracked back to good effect.

CF: Raheem Sterling - 9
Magnificent. Hard to believe he's only 19 (my age). Nearly scored with great effort in 3rd minute. Exquisite ball through to Rooney for Sturridge's goal. Constant menace.

LW: Wayne Rooney - 6
Had good first half but performance levels dropped as the game went on. Didn't track back which led to many problems for Baines.

ST: Daniel Sturridge - 8
Best performance in an England shirt. Scared the life out of Italy's back line with unpredictability. Scored England's goal, went close on 2 other occasions. Quickly turning into a top class International forward.

Subs: 
Ross Barkley (For Welbeck) - 6
Drove at the Italy midfield when possible but didn't make impact that England hoped.

Jack Wilshere (For Henderson) - 5
Ineffectual. Hasn't got any better since emergence into Arsenal starting line-up 4 years ago.

Adam Lallana (For Sturridge) - 6
Looked slightly overawed by occasion. Couple of neat turns which led to free kicks in good positions.
 

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