England player ratings: Harry Maguire has another stinker as Mason Mount denied goal by wonder save
IT was a disastrous evening for Gareth Southgate and Harry Maguire as England crashed to a 1-0 defeat at home to Denmark.
The Manchester United defender was given his marching orders after two rash challenges in the first half.
Christian Eriksen made no mistake from the spot and England showed little hope of forcing their way back into the contest with a lacklustre performance.
Here’s how SunSport’s Mark Irwin rated the England players.
Jordan Pickford – 5/10
Continues to unsettle his defenders with his decision-making and it was his mix-up with Walker which led to Denmark’s penalty. Didn’t have much chance with Eriksen’s spot-kick right down the middle.
Kyle Walker – 5
Extremely unfortunate to concede a penalty for his innocuous tussle with Thomas Delaney and didn’t look so comfortable when he was switched to full-back from central defence.
Conor Coady – 7
Crucial early intervention to prevent low cross from reaching the lurking Dolberg, he has come from nowhere to emerge as England’s most reliable central defender. Mind you, that’s not saying a lot at the moment.
Harry Maguire – 1
Disastrous night for the desperately out of form centre-half. Booked for a sixth minute lunge on Poulsen but didn’t learn his lesson and deservedly received a second yellow for another poor challenge on Dolberg after half an hour.
Reece James – 7
Making his first start for England, the Chelsea youngster was the best player on the pitch at wing-back but was forced to take on a more defensive left-back role and curb his attacking raids following Maguire’s dismissal. Was sent off after the final whistle.
Kalvin Phillips – 6
Neat and tidy in possession but England need more creativity in central midfield, especially when they are chasing the game and struggling to break down opponents who get everyone behind the ball.
Declan Rice – 7
The West Ham youngster is starting to emerge as a quality performer at international level. His ability to pick a pass stood out like a sore thumb despite England being outnumbered in the middle of the pitch.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 5
Unlucky to be taken off just 36 minutes into his first England start as Southgate was forced to go for a back four. Had struggled to make much of an impact before his time was up.
Mason Mount – 7
Combined well down the right flank with his Chelsea pal James and worked his way into some really promising positions in the channel. Denied his second Wembley goal of the week by a sensational save from Kasper Schmeichel.
Harry Kane – 6
A night of pure frustration for the England skipper, who barely touched the ball in the Denmark penalty-area and had just one half-chance all evening. Dropped so deep to help out ten-man England but his selflessness left the team carrying no attacking threat.
Marcus Rashford – 5
The nation’s sweetheart was guilty of giving the ball away far too easily and better teams than Denmark will capitalise on that generosity. Not one of his better England performances and he knows he needs to contribute more than this.
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SUBS: Tyrone Mings (for Maitland-Niles 36 mins) – 6
The Aston Villa stopper must really fancy his chances of an extended run in the team now that Maguire is in such wretched form.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (for Rashford 72mins) – 6
Unsettled Denmark with his physical presence.
Jadon Sancho (for Mount 72mins) – 5 S
truggled to get into the game and didn’t have enough time to make an impact.
Jordan Henderson (for Rice 76mins) – 5
Not sure why he was introduced when England were in desperate need of a goal.