Mainoo gives Southgate a serious headache but Dunk might have fluffed his chances of Euros spot
A LATE Jude Bellingham goal ensured Gareth Southgate won’t have to pick his Euro 2024 squad off the back of consecutive Wembley defeats.
The Real Madrid man scored with virtually the last kick of the game to ensure England came away with a 2-2 draw against Belgium.
Kobbie Mainoo shone on his full England debut but costly mistakes from Jordan Pickford and Lewis Dunk will give Southgate some pause for thought when it comes to his defence.
Here’s how SunSport’s Tom Barclay rated the Three Lions…
JORDAN PICKFORD: 5
Horrendous kick-out straight to Everton team-mate Amadou Onana led to Youri Tielemans netting his first on 11 minutes.
Pickford held up his hands in apology instantly, and went a little way to making up for it with a solid stop to deny Jeremy Doku’s blast soon after.
EZRI KONSA: 6
One of three England players making their first start along with Kobbie Mainoo and Ivan Toney.
Started out at right-back but moved to the centre when John Stones came off injured. Did OK.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
LEWIS DUNK: 4
The Brighton captain will be seriously sweating on his Euros spot after this performance.
It was a wet surface but his slip allowed Romelu Lukaku to produce an exquisite cross for Tielemans’ second. Looked shaky on his fifth cap.
JOHN STONES: 5
Came off injured with just ten minutes played after what looked like a jarring of the knee when in possession.
A hammer blow for his club Manchester City, who saw fellow defender Kyle Walker limp off in the early stages of Saturday’s defeat to Brazil.
BEN CHILWELL: 6
Looked determined to put in a better showing after a poor display against Brazil and did improve. Though if a fit Luke Shaw were available, Chilwell would not be troubling him for a starting berth.
DECLAN RICE: 6
Played the holding role on his 50th cap and tried to organise in his captain role. Interestingly, it was Mainoo rather than Rice who pushed further forward.
KOBBIE MAINOO: 8
What a performance from the 18-year-old, full of clever movement, dribbling skills and incisive passing.
Did well in the build-up to Toney winning a penalty. Based on this performance, and how composed he was on the big stage, it would be a surprise now if Gareth Southgate did NOT take him to the Euros.
JARROD BOWEN: 7
Played well under considerable pressure. Bowen knew that if he underwhelmed here that could well be his Euros dream up in smoke.
But he stepped up to the plate, offering a threat down the right-hand side. Thought he had his first England goal but VAR ruled it out.
JUDE BELLINGHAM: 7
Finally found the net deep into stoppage time to earn England a draw, but had he had on his shooting boots earlier they would have won.
Missed two sitters in each half, one when firing over after Mainoo had picked Onana’s pocket and the other a header from close range.
PHIL FODEN: 6
Had a quiet first half out on the left but came alive after the break when moved more centrally, as Southgate opted to play without a left-winger.
Some neat touches and movement from the playmaker – without hitting the heights of his Manchester City form. Failed to hit the target when teed up by Bowen late on with the goal gaping.
IVAN TONEY: 7
Won and scored a penalty for his first England goal in a fairly impressive display.
One moment in the first half summed up why he is perhaps a better fit for this England side than Ollie Watkins, as he controlled a high ball and neatly played it onto Foden – his link-up play is a huge asset and closer to the profile of first-choice Harry Kane.
SUBS:
JOE GOMEZ (on for Stones, 10): 6
The versatile Liverpool defender played right-back and should have had an assist in the second half but Bellingham somehow headed wide his pinpoint cross. Booked for cynically dragging back the excellent Doku.
JAMES MADDISON (on for Mainoo, 74): 7
Teed up Bellingham for his late strike with a clever flick back into the area.
ANTHONY GORDON (on for Bowen, 80): 6
Barely saw the ball after coming on.
OLLIE WATKINS (on for Toney, 80): 6
Same as Gordon, too late to make an impact.