DCM: James Milner (Liverpool) – 7/10
Milner was the most defensively responsible member of England’s three-man midfield. Playing slightly deeper than Adam Lallana and Barkley, Liverpool’s summer signing helped his side dominate the battle for possession, and also nipped a couple of Estonia’s rare attacks in the bud.
CM: Ross Barkley (Everton) – 9/10
Really positive whenever he got on the ball. Not everything came off for Barkley, but his assist for Walcott’s goal was fantastic.
Barkley made way for Tottenham Hotspur teenager Dele Alli (6/10), who did not look out of place during his three-minute cameo on debut.
CM: Adam Lallana (Liverpool) – 8/10
Like Barkley, Lallana really seemed to enjoy the freedom that playing in front of an anchor man afforded him. He made three key passes and registered four shots, before being replaced by Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlian (6/10) on 72 minutes.
RW: Theo Walcott (Arsenal) – 7/10
Lined up as a winger in England’s 4-3-3 formation, but spent a lot of the night in a central position, playing off Harry Kane.
Estonia sat very deep, which meant Walcott was unable to use his primary weapon – pace – to race in behind their defence. However, he still managed to register five shots, including the clinical finish which fired England ahead, during his 82-minute shift at Wembley.
Leicester City striker Vardy (8/10) came on for Walcott and made an instant impact, setting up Sterling for a goal which ended Estonian hopes of a comeback.
ST: Harry Kane (Tottenham) – 6/10
His hold-up play was excellent and he played a key role in Sterling’s goal by sending Vardy in behind Estonia’s defence with a neat flick-on.
However, Tottenham’s homegrown hero looked nervous in front of goal. He may well lose his starting place to Vardy when England travel to Lithuania on Monday night.
LW: Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) – 8/10
Produced six shots – more than any player on the pitch – and his 93.5% pass completion rate was higher than that of any other England starter on the night.
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