Denmark 0-0 England PLAYER RATINGS

PLAYER RATINGS: Jadon Sancho struggled to make an impact and his replacement Mason Mount helped improve England… while Jordan Pickford stepped up when called upon

England were held to draw in Denmark on Tuesday evening as Harry Kane saw an injury-time effort cleared off the line following an error by Kasper Schmeichel.

Denmark’s Christian Eriksen missed a glorious chance for the hosts as neither side could find the breakthrough.

Here, Sportsmail’s Daniel Matthews runs the rule over Gareth Southgate’s side. 

JORDAN PICKFORD – 6.5

Was rarely called upon despite England’s defensive struggles but made a brilliant reaction save from Dolberg when first tested from close range. We didn’t learn anything new.

Jordan Pickford made strong reaction save from Kasper Dolberg when tested from close range

Jordan Pickford made strong reaction save from Kasper Dolberg when tested from close range

JOE GOMEZ – 6

The most quiet of England’s back three, which is to his credit. No repeat of the untidy challenges which so nearly cost England in Reykjavik.

CONOR COADY – 6.5

Looked assured on debut and trademark crossfield balls were useful in creating openings. But he was unable to prevent England’s back three looking vulnerable.

Conor Coady looked assured on debut but was unable to prevent defence looking vulnerable

Conor Coady looked assured on debut but was unable to prevent defence looking vulnerable

ERIC DIER – 6

Used his superior passing range to find Alexander-Arnold with some searching passes but still looks brittle defensively. Eriksen left him for dead with one simple turn.

TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD – 6

Looked a promising outlet early on but struggled to make an impact, particularly going forward. Forced to do more defensive work than Southgate would have liked.

DECLAN RICE – 5

Industrious and willing as ever in midfield but offered no penetration going forward. Neither he nor Phillips really got a hold on Eriksen in Denmark’s midfield three, either.

KALVIN PHILLIPS – 5.5

Played in an unfamiliar role in an unfamiliar system on debut. Showed some nice touches but struggled to impose himself as England lacked rhythm.

Kalvin Phillips showed nice touches but struggled to impose himself as England lacked rhythm

Kalvin Phillips showed nice touches but struggled to impose himself as England lacked rhythm

KIERAN TRIPPIER – 6

Another playing out of position and another who was largely impotent. A willing worker going both ways but offered very little attacking thrust or invention.

JADON SANCHO – 5 

Briefly grew into life after switching wings during the first half. But it was a false dawn as the winger failed to lay a glove before being replaced.

Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho failed to lay glove before being replaced

Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho failed to lay glove before being replaced

HARRY KANE – 6.5

Still looked short of sharpness but hardly helped by England’s insipid display. His threat rose as England improved and alert to almost snatch victory at the death. 

Tottenham and England striker Harry Kane was alert to almost snatch victory at the death

Tottenham and England striker Harry Kane was alert to almost snatch victory at the death

RAHEEM STERLING – 6.5

Targeted by early dirty tricks and too often starved of service. But he always wants the ball and wants to make something happen in attack.

SUBS

MASON MOUNT – 7

His introduction and a change of shape coincided with an improvement in England’s display. Showed his versatility by dropping deeper late on.

JACK GREALISH – 6.5

Showed an immediate willingness to take his man on and create openings on his much-awaited debut. Not given long to make an impact.

Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish showed willingness to take his man on and create openings

Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish showed willingness to take his man on and create openings

MAITLAND-NILES – 6

Special moment making a late cameo to earn his first cap.

Subs not used: Henderson, Pope, Mings, Keane, Ward-Prowse, Abraham, Ings

MANAGER: GARETH SOUTHGATE – 5

Change of shape didn’t work and too slow to turn to Grealish, who seemed to be the obvious antidote to England’s struggles.

DENMARK (4-3-3): Schmeichel 5.5: Wass 7, Jorgensen 6.5, Christensen 6.5, Skov 6.5; Norgaard 6 (Hojbjerg 73, 6), Eriksen 7, Delaney 6; Poulsen 6, Dolberg 6.5 (Falk Jensen 76, 6), Braithwaite 6.5

Subs not used: Andersen, Vestergaard, Kjaer, Maehle Pedersen, Dalsgaard, Lossl, Christiansen, Bruun Larsen, Cornelius, Ronnow, Hojbjerg

MANAGER: Kasper Hjulmand – 6.5

REFEREE: Istvan Kovacs – 6

source: dailymail.co.uk