England player ratings: Lingard on target in win over Netherlands
By Danny Hart
Jordan Henderson – 7.5
This was a really confident performance from Henderson. The England captain hasn’t always been at his best in a Three Lions shirt but he produced a steady display in the center of a three-man midfield and kept possession ticking over nicely.
He had a good opportunity to score in the first half but he glanced his header just wide from Kieran Trippier’s free-kick.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 7
Oxlade-Chamberlain probably wouldn’t have started this match if the injured Jack Wilshere was still in the squad. Still, you’ve got to take your chances when they’re presented to you, and the Liverpool midfielder did just that.
He made some great runs forward in a box-to-box position on the right of England’s midfield three, with the highlight coming when he battled away to keep the ball in play before delivering a cross for Raheem Sterling in the first half.
Jesse Lingard – 8
Southgate has always been a big fan of Lingard and the smile on the England manager’s face when he subbed the goalscorer said it all. There’s no doubt that Lingard will be going to the World Cup – it’s just a question of whether he’s done enough to earn a spot in the starting XI.
The Manchester United midfielder’s goal came when he fired towards the bottom corner from 18 yards and Netherlands goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet could only get a hand to it. Other than that, he was lively going forward and held his position well defensively. This 5-3-2 system definitely suited him.