England finally gave their fans something to shout about after almost four years of either under-performing or not even making major tournaments. Although a 3-2 win over a side that was never going to trouble the trophy engravers can hardly be classed as ‘a triumph’ it’s still a victory. Goals from Andy Carroll, Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck, were enough to give England the win despite a Glen Johnson OG and an Olof Mellberg goal, the question is how did the 13 ‘Three Lions’ who figured do? Here’s our player ratings for the England side.
1. Joe Hart- Would be pretty harsh to blame him for either goal, although he did give away a needless corner and perhaps could’ve commanded his area a little better, it was an okay, rather than impressive performance. 6.
2. Glen Johnson- One of the worst players on the pitch by a country mile, Johnson looked a liability for large parts of the game and if it wasn’t for his pace, England could’ve been on the end of a hammering. Played three Sweden players onside before scoring an own goal and was caught out of position on more than one occasion. 4.
3. Ashley Cole. Not the best performance the Chelsea man has ever given in an England shirt, especially in possession but he was far from poor and did make some positive runs forward. 6.
4. John Terry. Whatever happened to ‘Mr Lionheart’? Judging on this performance Terry was more like a tortoise than a lion, slow and failed to truly organise his defence. Made a couple of decent challenges and had a header saved but was mediocre at best. 5.
5. Joleon Lescott- Forgive me for saying this, but I’m beginning to warm more and more to the City defender in an England shirt, easily our best defender and looks far more composed on the ball than he used to. Marshalled the swedish attack well. 7.
6. James Milner. Put ‘a shift in’ but the difference to the game came when he was replaced by Theo Walcott. on the plus side, it was a better hour than the game he had against France. Just. 6.
7. Steven Gerrard. Quiet for large parts of the game, the skipper failed to truly stamp his authority on the game, although it was one of his better performances for England at a major tournament. Despite his faults, it was a wonderful cross for Carroll’s opener and almost scored late on but for a fantastic save from Isaksson. 7.
8. Scott Parker. Seemed to get bashed from pillar to post by the Swedish midfield, yet never shirked his responsibilities and could have opened the scoring with a great early effort. Kept his high energy performance going all game and was never shy of sticking a much-needed foot in. 7.
9. Ashley Young. Ash? What’s going on son? Before the tournament, Young was on fire for England and tipped to shine in the Euros but he’s been well off the pace in both games. Tonight, the United man failed to really get to grips with the match and wasted a good chance with a wide near post shot. May be playing his way out of the side if he’s not careful. 5.
10. Andy Carroll. Amazingly and I use that word as I’d pretty much declared him useless before the game, Carroll was actually superb for most of the game tonight. Took his goal well and put himself about, the Liverpool hit-man proved his doubters- including me- wrong. Faded slightly towards the end, but more than understandable considering the shift he put in. 8.
11. Danny Welbeck. What can I say, yet again Welbeck delivers for England after his fine performance against France. Not only did the United striker score a sublime winner, he also had the confidence to run at the Swedish defence, at times single-handedly and linked up well with Walcott for the last half hour, so well he’s got to keep his place against the Ukraine. 9.
Subs: Theo Walcott. Regained his ‘Super Theo’ status with a blistering cameo that turned the game on its head. Took his goal well, despite Isaksson having a bit of a mare, ran the Swedish defence ragged and set up Welebck for the winner, it could have been more as the Arsenal man gave the sort of substitute appearance managers dream of. 9.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Only had a few minutes on the pitch but nearly grabbed a goal, had Gerrard not got in his way, decent little outing although too brief to give a mark for. N/A
What Wekbeck exactly did in the 90 minutes other than scoring a fantastic goal? Completely nothing.
it’s ‘Welbeck.’
Dude> I’m watching the game at 2.45am in Singapore and even I can tell that you’re the one who was sleepy. Welbeck was absolutely lazy. Other than the goal he never made himself available, never defended from the front… I mean were you even watching the same game? Carroll was stupendous putting in such a shift and showing what pride it is to play for your country. Running after defenders, making tackles and heading the ball out of defence where both Lescott and Terry were basically invisible. The only thing striking about Cole performance was his ‘Hair’. Johnson might seem to be caught out because he was the only want overlapping to stretch play. Milner forgot how to cross and Young was playing like and old man. And the arrogance of wanting to take the freekick? You can tell which club he plays for. Scotty Parker seriously is a joke and a waste of space. Theo should start every game because he makes the run and looks to take people on. Stevie is not his usual self because the biggest problem for England is ROY. The thing that caught my eye every time any player tried to attack was him on the sideline telling the players to either pull back or tighten up. Only when Theo came on was there any adventure. And every time the had the ball they looked dangerous and even Stevie was able to make the runs he’s so known for that nearly resulted in a typical Stevie goal. Rooney will solve the problem of benching WayBack unless Roy feels Carroll’s worse. Roy has Stevie on a leash and I got to say that he’s playing a Captain’s role by curtailing his natural style of play. England will never succeed because there’s too much shit going on in the background. I mean it took you lot almost 6 years to realise the only choice for captain was Stevie. Terry shouldn’t even be a choice. I seriously have to congratulate you like ‘ACO’ says for making yourself look like a total fool. Definitely a MANURE fan.
Are u for real mate? Glen Johnson was amazing he made some brilliant last ditch tackles in both games he has been englands best defender if your looking fr the worst player in both games then look no further then ashley young a player who was in good form coming into this tournament but hasn’t done anything so far so to sum everything up these ratings are bullshit to say the least I rate ur article 0
What a joke. Glen Johnson has been one of the top three players in both games. Blaming him for that goal is ridiculous.
Welbeck gets a 9 and did nothing at all except for that goal. Biased much?
Not too bad other than a bit harsh on Johnson who made several good interceptions and the goal was the fault of Mellberg not being marked. Carroll easily as good as Wellbeck, but both had really good games.
But Ashley Young 5?? Not worth more than 2. Absolutely useless for the whole 90 minutes, the epitome of doing nothing at all. England were actually playing with 10 men in effect. No shots, no runs does nothing in defence unlike Milner and Parker who whilst limited at least work. And to top it off unable to even retain simple possession in the last few minutes to keep the pressure off. He came into the tournament as our most in form player but has been an enormous disappointment.
I’ve read this guys opinion and just thought he hasn’t got a clue about judging performances! Yes I am a liverppol fan but also one that casts close & some critical eye on him. To give him a 4 and rate cole so much better is flabagasting! Parker same as Gerrard? Milner was worst player on the England side and young was suprisingly quiet in a match I thought he could shine! Your a poor critic with a poor eye for players! You should get sack in the morning kid – don’t waste people time with your entries! Zap!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/9335260/Sweden-v-England-player-ratings.html
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/sweden-2-3-england-daily-mirror-886333
dippers filling united site. delusional comments.
DIPPERS???
Well done!Its never about an unbiased opinion with you lot! It’s always club loyalties. Glen Johnson and Steven Gerrard where the best 2 players on the park against Sweden regardless who they play for. Webeck, Young and Milner where the 3 worst for me. That’s not to say they’re bad players they just had bad games.
Offer a balanced unbiased assessment which is deached from you club loyalties or don’t offer an assessment at all.
Pathetic!