England player ratings: Lallana & Dier impress, Henderson struggles

England got the job done but failed to impress as a team in the 1-0 victory over Slovakia, here are our player ratings…

Joe Hart: Erratic kick early on will have had Pep Guardiola smirking but had nothing to do all match. 6
Kyle Walker: Good cross should have been turned in by Kane in the first half and had a solid match. Right-back spot remains his to lose. 7
Gary Cahill: Solid, if unspectacular, but that’s all Sam Allardyce will really want from Cahill. 7
John Stones: Allowed to foray into the opposition half under Allardyce and his ball-playing ability gives England something they have lacked in recent years. 7 
Danny Rose: Got forward well, as always, but a mistake inside his own area almost led to a Slovakia opener in the first half. 6
Jordan Henderson: Did not have the responsibility of protecting the back four and was given license to roam on the right-hand side of the field but does not possess the quality to unlock a defence. Works hard and does the simple things well, so is the natural successor in the ‘James Milner role’. 5
Eric Dier: Continues to cement himself as one of the first names on the team-sheet. Broke up play, was strong in the air, and made more passes than any other player on the pitch. 8
Adam Lallana: Typically tidy on the ball and, as always, pressed and harried the opposition. One of the few players to have grown in stature as an England player over the last six months. Hit the post in the second half and deserved his winner, albeit with a fortuitous finish. Man of the match. 8
Wayne Rooney: Played deeper than expected as part of a midfielder three, as he did at Euro 2016, and the same problems reared their heads. Too many slow floated cross-field passes, and left Kane without enough support. Did improve when Alli was brought on and England’s midfield became less congested. 6
Raheem Sterling: Often looks the England player most likely to make something happen but dragged a good chance wide and completed only 70.8% of his passes – the lowest of any England player. Failed to run at his full-back enough and could have no complaints when replaced by Walcott. 6
Harry Kane: A repeat of his Euro 2016 performances, although he is not to blame for being left completely isolated against two uncompromising centre-halves (an understatement in the case of Martin Skrtel). He is to blame, however, for producing a complete air shot when presented with a great chance by Walker’s first-half cross. 5

Substitutes

Dele Alli (for Henderson, 64′): Looked bright after entering the fray. Deployed as a natural number 10, his introduction gave the side much more balance. 7
Theo Walcott (for Sterling, 70′): Provided some incisiveness from the right flank with some clever runs off the ball and a couple of good deliveries. Somewhat unfortunate to be flagged offside after poking the ball home in stoppage time. 7
Daniel Sturridge (for Kane, 81′): Not given much time but was lively and always wanted the ball. N/A.