PLAYER RATINGS: How did the Lionesses perform against Northern Ireland? | OneFootball

England claimed their third FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia New Zealand 2023 qualifying victory last night as they defeated Northern Ireland 4-0 at Wembley.

The Lionesses were held to a goalless draw for more than an hour until forwards Beth Mead and Beth England came off the bench to score the four goals, the former netted a 14-minute hat-trick.

How did the Lionesses perform on their big night at Wembley? Here is how FAWSL Full-Time rate the individual performances of Sarina Wiegman’s side.

Mary Earps 5 – The Manchester United keeper continues to prove her worth to the team on the training pitch rather than in games as she again had nothing to do. Northern Ireland didn’t have a single shot on target while they also didn’t win a corner throughout the entire 90 minutes.

Rachel Daly 6 – Another player who had a quiet game with little to do. The full-back was the subject of one or two whole-hearted challenges prior to leaving the field in the 64th minute, hopefully she will have escaped any kind of knock and will be fit for Latvia on Tuesday.

Millie Bright 6 – Held things together at the back, although largely untroubled. Bright was initially caught out by the switch to two at the back at half-time along with Greenwood but the pair were unpunished as the Northern Ireland cross was not converted.

Alex Greenwood 6 – Greenwood’s performance will be remembered for her thunderous long range shot which cannoned off the crossbar. The player was really unlucky not to cap-off a solid performance with a spectacular goal.

Demi Stokes 5 – Stokes’ error early in the game allowed Rachel Furness a clear run on goal. The full-back recovered well but it could have been a different story against a quicker, more youthful opponent. The defender was replaced by Keira Walsh at half-time, although that decision is thought to have been system-based rather than performance-based.

Fran Kirby 7 – Busy in midfield and unlucky not to get her name on the scoresheet. Kirby will play better and has played better this season but she always looked a threat and her runs did have the Northern Irish defence worried at times.

Leah Williamson 8 – The skipper led by example in the middle of the park. Williamson worked hard in the midfield and she was a real threat from set pieces. Only the bravery of Northern Ireland goalkeeper Jackie Burns denied her a goal.

Ella Toone 6 – The quietest member of the England midfield. Toone is at her best when playing in attack and Wiegman’s decision to play the forward in a deeper role had little benefit to the team. Toone must be playing in attack to make her mark for the Lionesses in upcoming games.

Nikita Parris 7 – Parris was her usual busy self, the player got round the back of the Northern Ireland defence on a few occasions and delivered a couple of balls into dangerous areas. The Arsenal player didn’t really provide any kind of goal threat herself.

Ellen White 7 – This seemed like White’s stage to move closer to Kelly Smith’s all-time record goalscoring haul for England but she failed to shine. The forward had three or four excellent chances to score but failed to take any of them on what was a rare off-day for one of the world’s best number nines.

Lauren Hemp 9 – Dangerous and direct, Hemp’s performance was one of her best in an England shirt. The forward tested Burns on a couple of occasions and created goals for teammates Mead and England. Hemp really should have been celebrating a first goal for the Lionesses but she was denied by England’s intervention. The post-match conversation between the two players will have been an interesting one.

Substitutes

Walsh 6 – Walsh put in a steady performance after coming on at half-time. She slotted into the side with ease and looked comfortable in the remoulded England formation. It was pleasing to see Walsh alongside Williamson in midfield.

Beth England 8 – Continued her reputation for being ultra-reliable from the bench. England’s introduction along with Mead changed the game. England celebrated another international goal, however, she arguably could have let the ball go over the line following Hemp’s lob. England deserves a start but she is such a great asset as a substitute.

Beth Mead 9 – Mead enjoyed 14 minutes of her career last night that she will never forget. Scoring at Wembley is every player’s dream, scoring a 14-minute hat-trick at the national stadium is just a fairytale. Mead is enjoying a fine season and it was hugely impressive just how alert, prepared and clinical she was against Northern Ireland.

Lucy Staniforth N/A – Late substitute

Lotte Wubben-Moy N/A – Late substitute

England are in action again on Tuesday when they travel to Liepãja to face Latvia in their next FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia New Zealand 2023 qualifier.