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.
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 as holiday-mode England struggled to break down the home side’s bus-parking tactics – weeks after Albania put three goals away against Andorra.
Tuchel did become 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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