England player ratings vs Finland: Trent Alexander-Arnold stars as Angel Gomes impresses again | OneFootball

Three Lions suspect in defence at times but still too strong for Finland

England returned to winning ways as they beat Finland 3-1 in Helsinki.

The Three Lions move temporarily level on points with Nations League Group B2 leaders Greece, after recovering from their defeat to the Greeks on Thursday with a professional display against Finland.

They took the lead on 18 minutes when Angel Gomes assisted Jack Grealish but then allowed Finland a few chances with some suspect defending.

England bounced back from their shock defeat to Greece

The FA via Getty Images

Dom Smith was on hand to rate the England players’ performances…

Dean Henderson 6

Made one poor pass out from the back under pressure, but also made a decent save in the first half. Solid on his first England start and unlucky not to claim a clean-sheet.

Kyle Walker 5

Decent display defensively, but slowed England down when they were on the attack.

John Stones 5

Afforded Fredrik Jensen the space and time to shoot on goal in the second half and was fortunate Jensen squandered it.

Marc Guehi 6

Composed passing out from the back, and it will be difficult going forward for Harry Maguire to dislodge Guehi now as Stones’s first-choice partner.

Trent Alexander-Arnold 8

Saw plenty of the ball as he drifted into midfield from an unusual left-back position. One of England’s better players on the night, capping off a bright performance with a stunning free-kick.

Angel Gomes 7

Really good performance from a player who owes his international career to Lee Carsley. Lovely assist for the opening goal.

Declan Rice 7

Was sharper than against Greece now that he had a bona fide central midfield partner in the form of Gomes, and made sure of all three points by netting the third.

Cole Palmer 6

Less involved than against Greece on Thursday but had one good effort which Lukas Hradecky did well to save.

Jude Bellingham 6

Played one nice pick-out to find Declan Rice and put in a tireless shift with constant off-the-ball movement. Just didn’t quite fall for him, but played well.

Jack Grealish 7

Took his goal with a cultured finish and made it possible by making a clever run behind the defence. Looked full of confidence.

Jack Grealish impressed on his return to starting lineup

Bradley Collyer/PA Wire

Harry Kane 6

Some nice touches to evade Finland’s challenges, but otherwise a quiet night for the returning England skipper.

Subs:

Ollie Watkins (Kane, 70’) 6

Struggled to get into the game until a nice down the left saw him assist Rice for the third goal.

Noni Madueke (Palmer, 70’) 6

One lovely run almost earned England a second goal, but his cross was slightly behind Watkins. Really positive display.

Phil Foden (Bellingham, 80’) N/A

Rico Lewis (Gomes, 80’) N/A

Conor Gallagher (Rice, 85’) N/A

Not used: Pickford, Pope, Gordon, Colwill, Livramento, Solanke