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1 Rose blossoms at left-back
Diamond midfields need the full-backs to provide the width, and it was no surprise that England’s best early moments came from Danny Rose. His forward runs down the left set up Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge’s shots, which was as good as it got before Vardy’s opener. Rose clearly understands this system and must now be favourite to start in the Euros.
2 Walker crucial to the cause
The best proof of the full-backs’ importance came when England took the lead just before the break. Kyle Walker took up his most advanced position of the match, and when Adam Lallana cleverly found him, he could square to Vardy to convert. Walker, like Rose, is used to providing width to a narrow team, and he should get the chance to do it in France.
Show all 15 1 /15England 1 Netherlands 2 player ratings England 1 Netherlands 2 player ratings Fraser Forster: 6 out of 10 A pair of impressive saves in the second period were enough to suggest that Forster will be more than adequate as a reserve to Joe Hart.
2016 Getty Images
England 1 Netherlands 2 player ratings Kyle Walker: 7 out of 10 Looked no less defensively suspect than Nathaniel Clyne had against superior German opposition though when he got forward England looked a far more dangerous attacking outfit, as typified by his calm assist for Vardy’s opener.
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England 1 Netherlands 2 player ratings Chris Smalling: 6 out of 10 Scarcely put a foot wrong throughout, making several useful interceptions and looking solid in the air. It should however be noted that the inexperienced Dutch frontline didn’t offer much to test him.
2016 Getty Images
England 1 Netherlands 2 player ratings John Stones: 5 out of 10 His display didn’t necessarily tell us much we didn’t already know about him. At times Stones ease on the ball allows him to prompt attacking moves from deep, at others it sees him play himself into trouble in the most blasé manner, as when he slipped in the build-up to the Dutch penalty. Perhaps that makes him too much of a liability for the high stakes of tournament football.
2016 Getty Images
England 1 Netherlands 2 player ratings Danny Rose: 7 out of 10 Strengthened his bid for a starting spot against Russia with another impressive display both in attack and defence. Quincy Promes asked questions of him early on but he rose to the test, providing pace and direct running on the counter. However, he was fortunate not to give away a penalty in the first half and was guilty of a hand-ball in the box which led to Netherlands equaliser in the second.
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England 1 Netherlands 2 player ratings James Milner: 6 out of 10 Seems like a hangover from the bad old days of pedestrian football under Fabio Capello. There’s no shortage of hard work but an alarming lack of anything worth getting out of your seat. He’ll do a job in the squad but can’t expect to start.
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England 1 Netherlands 2 player ratings Danny Drinkwater: 6 out of 10 More than anyone else he will wish this game had seen a higher tempo from both sides. The Leicester man had little opportunity to show much beyond a degree of consistency and intelligence on the ball.
2016 Getty Images
England 1 Netherlands 2 player ratings Ross Barkley: 7 out of 10 The start of the game was a tough one for Barkley, who was forced to drop ever deeper to collect possession. But he caught life around the half hour, offering the full range of powerful running, smart passing and a willingness to shoot.
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England 1 Netherlands 2 player ratings Adam Lallana: 8 out of 10 Showed what makes him a unique player in Hodgson’s setup on the way to Vardy’s goal. The composure to turn down a shot and find the overlapping Walker ensured a half-chance became a certain goal.
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England 1 Netherlands 2 player ratings Daniel Sturridge: 6 out of 10 Flashes of promise throughout, including an impressive reverse pass to James Milner. He looks as confident as ever though, he just didn’t get the chances to show off his finishing skills.
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England 1 Netherlands 2 player ratings Jamie Vardy: 8 out of 10 Has evidently brought the poacher’s instinct he shows at club level to the international stage, finding the perfect position to slot home for England’s opener. His pace gave Jeffrey Bruma all sorts of problems throughout the evening in an impressive display.
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England 1 Netherlands 2 player ratings OFF THE BENCH - Theo Walcott: 7 out of 10 Evidently knew he had to impress if he is to have any hopes of making the Euros and looked bright, firing a shot over after a dangerous and direct run.
2016 Getty Images
England 1 Netherlands 2 player ratings OFF THE BENCH - Nathaniel Clyne: 6 out of 10 Made little impression from an unfamiliar berth on the left flank, though Hodgson will be encouraged by his versatility on both sides of the pitch.
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England 1 Netherlands 2 player ratings OFF THE BENCH - Harry Kane: 6 out of 10 In his 17 minutes on the pitch there were plenty of moments where he dragged the Dutch defence out of position but no real chances fell his way.
2016 Getty Images
England 1 Netherlands 2 player ratings OFF THE BENCH - Phil Jagielka: 6 out of 10 Certainly deserved a free-kick after being barged off the ball by Vincent Jannsen for the second but is it unreasonable to ask whether he could have stayed on his feet?
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3 Soft centre a worry for Hodgson
There was a time when England’s strongest position was centre-back, but it is now the weakest area of the team. England were in control of this game until John Stones slipped under pressure, which led to the Dutch equaliser. Then Phil Jagielka was knocked over by Vincent Janssen and Holland were 2-1 up. Back to the drawing-board for Hodgson.
4 Forster stakes a claim
This has been a difficult season for Fraser Forster but he may finish it on the brink of playing for England in the European Championship. With Jack Butland out, Forster is now number two, but his performance here suggested he could aim even higher than that. He made three good saves, was powerless for both goals, and has a lot to be pleased with.
Show all 15 1 /15England 1 Netherlands 2 player ratings England 1 Netherlands 2 player ratings Fraser Forster: 6 out of 10 A pair of impressive saves in the second period were enough to suggest that Forster will be more than adequate as a reserve to Joe Hart.
2016 Getty Images
England 1 Netherlands 2 player ratings Kyle Walker: 7 out of 10 Looked no less defensively suspect than Nathaniel Clyne had against superior German opposition though when he got forward England looked a far more dangerous attacking outfit, as typified by his calm assist for Vardy’s opener.
Getty
England 1 Netherlands 2 player ratings Chris Smalling: 6 out of 10 Scarcely put a foot wrong throughout, making several useful interceptions and looking solid in the air. It should however be noted that the inexperienced Dutch frontline didn’t offer much to test him.
2016 Getty Images
England 1 Netherlands 2 player ratings John Stones: 5 out of 10 His display didn’t necessarily tell us much we didn’t already know about him. At times Stones ease on the ball allows him to prompt attacking moves from deep, at others it sees him play himself into trouble in the most blasé manner, as when he slipped in the build-up to the Dutch penalty. Perhaps that makes him too much of a liability for the high stakes of tournament football.
2016 Getty Images
England 1 Netherlands 2 player ratings Danny Rose: 7 out of 10 Strengthened his bid for a starting spot against Russia with another impressive display both in attack and defence. Quincy Promes asked questions of him early on but he rose to the test, providing pace and direct running on the counter. However, he was fortunate not to give away a penalty in the first half and was guilty of a hand-ball in the box which led to Netherlands equaliser in the second.
Getty
England 1 Netherlands 2 player ratings James Milner: 6 out of 10 Seems like a hangover from the bad old days of pedestrian football under Fabio Capello. There’s no shortage of hard work but an alarming lack of anything worth getting out of your seat. He’ll do a job in the squad but can’t expect to start.
Getty
England 1 Netherlands 2 player ratings Danny Drinkwater: 6 out of 10 More than anyone else he will wish this game had seen a higher tempo from both sides. The Leicester man had little opportunity to show much beyond a degree of consistency and intelligence on the ball.
2016 Getty Images
England 1 Netherlands 2 player ratings Ross Barkley: 7 out of 10 The start of the game was a tough one for Barkley, who was forced to drop ever deeper to collect possession. But he caught life around the half hour, offering the full range of powerful running, smart passing and a willingness to shoot.
Getty
England 1 Netherlands 2 player ratings Adam Lallana: 8 out of 10 Showed what makes him a unique player in Hodgson’s setup on the way to Vardy’s goal. The composure to turn down a shot and find the overlapping Walker ensured a half-chance became a certain goal.
Getty
England 1 Netherlands 2 player ratings Daniel Sturridge: 6 out of 10 Flashes of promise throughout, including an impressive reverse pass to James Milner. He looks as confident as ever though, he just didn’t get the chances to show off his finishing skills.
2016 Getty Images
England 1 Netherlands 2 player ratings Jamie Vardy: 8 out of 10 Has evidently brought the poacher’s instinct he shows at club level to the international stage, finding the perfect position to slot home for England’s opener. His pace gave Jeffrey Bruma all sorts of problems throughout the evening in an impressive display.
Getty
England 1 Netherlands 2 player ratings OFF THE BENCH - Theo Walcott: 7 out of 10 Evidently knew he had to impress if he is to have any hopes of making the Euros and looked bright, firing a shot over after a dangerous and direct run.
2016 Getty Images
England 1 Netherlands 2 player ratings OFF THE BENCH - Nathaniel Clyne: 6 out of 10 Made little impression from an unfamiliar berth on the left flank, though Hodgson will be encouraged by his versatility on both sides of the pitch.
Getty
England 1 Netherlands 2 player ratings OFF THE BENCH - Harry Kane: 6 out of 10 In his 17 minutes on the pitch there were plenty of moments where he dragged the Dutch defence out of position but no real chances fell his way.
2016 Getty Images
England 1 Netherlands 2 player ratings OFF THE BENCH - Phil Jagielka: 6 out of 10 Certainly deserved a free-kick after being barged off the ball by Vincent Jannsen for the second but is it unreasonable to ask whether he could have stayed on his feet?
2016 Getty Images
5 Walcott fluffs his lines
Theo Walcott played with ferocious enthusiasm when he came on in the second half, knowing that he has something to prove. Walcott has had a tough season, and must know he needs to improve to make Roy Hodgson’s 23. He always wanted the ball but almost looked too keen to impress, rushing his execution in the final third, as he often does.
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