ENGLAND cruised to victory in a heated international friendly at Wembley.
Tensions had built up heading into the game, but ultimately it was a walk in the park for an England side that has at times lacked a cutting edge in recent fixtures.
The Lions rushed into an early lead thanks to a third-minute finish from Morgan Rogers, before his Aston Villa team-mate Ollie Watkins doubled the advantage eight minutes later.
Bukayo Saka fired home a sublime effort from range around the 20-minute mark to put the hosts firmly in control.
Here is how SunSport’s Tom Barclay rated Thomas Tuchel’s men:
Jordan Pickford: 7
Picked up a record-breaking eighth consecutive clean sheet, which took him past the great Gordon Banks.
Was a bystander in the first half, but came up with two top saves, one with his knee and the other with a punch, after the break to ensure the shut-out.
And he also made a brilliant save to keep out Chris Mepham’s header.
Djed Spence: 7
Made his full England debut and coped well enough.
Spence is by trade a right-back but has often performed better at left-back for Spurs, and the latter role was where he was deployed here.
Was up against his Tottenham team-mate Brennan Johnson but kept him quiet, though the versatile full-back did pick up a late caution.
With all of the injury issues at left-back, Spence has a chance now to keep hold of the shirt.
Marc Guehi: 8
Fantastic work from the Crystal Palace skipper to keep the ball in play for England’s opener.
Stones’ header from Declan Rice’s corner looked to be going out of play but Guehi bust a gut to keep it on, got his head up and picked out Morgan Rogers to make the breakthrough.
Took one for the team by clattering Kieffer Moore when it looked like Wales might mount a rare attack and was booked.
John Stones: 7
Admitted he considered retiring last season due to consistent fitness issues – but his love for England played a part in stopping him from going through with it.
It is a good thing too because Stones, who earned his 84th cap here, remains so crucial to the Three Lions.
He showed good anticipation at times here and also put his battered body on the line, being flattened by big Kieffer Moore in the second half.
Ezri Konsa: 7
Filled in at right-back after Reece James pulled out through injury and did not look out of place.
Even got an assist for his troubles too, although his lay-off for Bukayo Saka was hardly the stand-out moment from the Arsenal man’s blistering strike for England’s third.
Declan Rice: 7
Captain in Harry Kane’s absence on what was his 69th cap.
Rice’s corners caused Wales problems all night and prompted the early goal rush, as Guehi kept the Arsenal man’s routine alive for the opener.
An exciting midfield partnership with Anderson is blossoming.
Elliot Anderson: 8
It is remarkable how quickly he has become part of the furniture for England.
This was only his third appearance but he looked in complete control in midfield, almost teeing up Ollie Watkins for a second.
Thomas Tuchel clearly wants more, though, as at one point he was seen urging the Nottingham Forest man to get the ball forward quicker.
Morgan Rogers: 8
Playing No. 10 in the absence of old mates Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer, Rogers seized his opportunity with an early goal and assist.
His maiden strike for England came on three minutes, tapping home Guehi’s cutback, before he turned provider by floating in a cross which Watkins converted. Also hit the bar.
Anthony Gordon: 7
The Newcastle star had fans off their seats and ooohing with glee as he skinned David Brooks with a neat turn moments before Saka made it three.
Showed more of what he is really capable of compared to the “50 per cent” Gordon himself claimed he had shown hitherto in an England shirt.
Moved into a centre-forward position after the break when Watkins went off.
Bukayo Saka: 8
Arsenal’s talisman conjured up the pre-assist for England’s second, floating in a cross which Rogers took down before teeing up Watkins to fire in from close range.
Saka then took centre-stage by cutting in and curling home a crowd-pleasing third which had supporters in raptures.
Ollie Watkins: 7
Another attacking understudy who took his chance while the main man sat this one out.
Injured Kane watched on as Aston Villa man Watkins – who famously scored the last-gasp winner in the Euros semi-final against the Netherlands – was Johnny on the spot to put away Rogers’ cross on 11 minutes.
There were initial fears Watkins may have suffered some serious damage when lunging for an Anderson cross.
Fortunately it was just a scare and he carried on until half-time, when he was replaced by former Villa team-mate Marcus Rashford.
SUBS:
Marcus Rashford (for Watkins 46): 6
His introduction saw Gordon move up front but neither had much impact from there, so they switched round again for the final 15.
Morgan Gibbs White (for Rodgers 70): 6
Slotted in at No. 10 but did not have the same creative influence as the man he replaced.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek (for Rice 70): 6
Came on for his first England appearance in seven years, adding some physicality to the midfield
Jordan Henderson (for Anderson 70): 6
Came on for his 86th cap to see the game out and was a commanding presence.
Jarrod Bowen (for Saka 70): 6
Offered an outlet wide right at every opportunity.
Myles Lewis Skelly (for Stones 80): 7
Would have had an assist if Gordon had converted after a neat one-two.
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