England’s impressive start to Euro 2020 qualification continued with a first ever win in Montenegro, but the 5-1 victory was overshadowed by racist chanting.
Just 72 hours after kicking off their European Championship journey by hitting five without reply against the Czech Republic, the Three Lions continued their Group A campaign in Podgorica at what has previously been an unhappy hunting ground.
Marko Vesovic’s early strike had the hosts dreaming, but Ross Barkley’s brace along with Michael Keane, Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling efforts sealed the three points at the Gradski Stadion.
Here’s our England ratings.
JORDAN PICKFORD: No chance with the Montenegro goal and largely untroubled after that. 6 (out of 10)
KYLE WALKER: The only current player to have previously experienced a game in Montenegro but there was none of the previous hostility here and the Manchester City man had a decent night. 7.
HARRY MAGUIRE: Identified as a weak link ahead of the last game against the Czech Republic but it was another night here where he won the battle against the opposing forward. 7.
MICHAEL KEANE: A little shaky at the start but headed England level with his first international goal. 7.
DANNY ROSE: In a battle with the likes of Ben Chilwell and Luke Shaw to be the first-choice left-back and put in a solid display here. 7.
DECLAN RICE: Outshone by fellow full debutant Callum Hudson-Odoi but likely to remain a fixture in Gareth Southgate’s squad if his club form continues. 6.
ROSS BARKLEY: Doubled his England goal tally with a brace, having provided the earlier assist for Keane’s leveller. He also played a key part in Harry Kane’s goal. 8.
DELE ALLI: Largely on the periphery of things but showed a couple of decent touches. 6.
RAHEEM STERLING: Another fine display from the in-form forward, who grabbed a seventh goal from his last four international appearances and also played a role in Barkley’s second and laid on Kane’s strike. 9.
CALLUM HUDSON-ODOI: Caught out in the build-up to the opener but always wanted the ball and claimed an assist for Barkley’s effort. 8.
HARRY KANE: A fairly quiet night for the England captain but still got himself another goal for the Three Lions. 7.
SUBSTITUTES:
JORDAN HENDERSON (for Alli, 64): On for his landmark 50th England cap and, although he still remains without an international goal, played a sublime pass for Sterling to add the fifth. 7.
JAMES WARD-PROWSE (for Barkley, 82): Southampton midfielder came on for his second cap, two years after his first. 5.
CALLUM WILSON (for Kane, 83): Little chance for the striker to add to the goal he scored on his debut last year. 5.
