The fans’ furious beating of the steel railings told you all you needed to know about this England performance.
For the second time in three matches Roy Hodgson’s side huffed and puffed against a side showing limited endeavour. At least against Russia England managed a goal – two less than Wales put past them on Monday as they secured top spot in Group B and sent England careening towards a rotten knockout run and potential quarter-final encounter with France in Stade de France.
There was some good defending for the Slovakians, but rarely desperate, there were some good saves but Matus Kozacik was he was never at full stretch.
Hodgson rang the changes – a half dozen in total – but saw a painfully familiar performance from his side.
Yet again the Three Lions enjoyed a poetic amount of possession but failed miserably to make anything of it. There were few standout performers on a frustrating night for their fantastically vocal, but increasingly exasperated, supporters.
Joe Hart – 6
The confusion caused by a harmless ball rolling midway between himself and Chris Smalling early on was a sign of his nervousness. Errors in opening two games appear to have effected his confidence.
Dealt well with a dangerous free-kick early in second half, only for a mix-up with Smalling to prove near fatal minutes later. Couple of comfortable saves in second half before advancing quickly off his lineto smother one chance.
Nathaniel Clyne – 7.5
Had he crossed instead of shot when released by Sturridge at beginning of second half things could have been very different. Still England’s best attacking player in the first half, which says as much about England’s attacking play as it does about the Liverpool full-back.
Regularly showed the endeavour to make it to the byline and his cutback to Lallana on edge of the area was worthy of a more composed finish. Could put heat under Kyle Walker ahead of second round.
Gary Cahill – 6.5
Wearing the armband in the absence of Wayne Rooney and did not have an overly stressful evening. Was turned inside out early on by Marek Hamsik, whose lofted cross to the back post provided one of Hart’s nervier moments. Relinquished the armband once the captain appeared early in second half. Was thrown into attack as England went in search of a goal.
Chris Smalling – 6
So comfortable on the ball coming out of defence it almost seems redundant to have Eric Dier coming short all the time to take possession. Himself and Ryan Bertrand were leaving too much space behind them on the left flank. Not so comfortable with his back to goal, as witnessed when he tried to chest a cross back to Hart. Did not get enough on it.
Ryan Bertrand – 4
Lucky to get away with two nasty elbows in the first half, one of which opened up Peter Pekarik’s nose (above) to the extent the Slovakian right-back was off the field for five minutes receiving attention from four coaches.
Dawdled in possession on a number of occasions, which may have proved more costly against more ambitious opposition. Eventually booked and lucky not to see red.
Jordan Henderson – 5
An early, unsubtle shove into the back of Hamsik set the tone for an unsubtle first half. Was afforded two shooting opportunities but failed to beat the advancing defender on either occasion. Superb pass over the top to release Vardy for the best chance of the first half but wasted numerous good crossing opportunities and made a horlicks of several setpieces.
Fans were not impressed, whatever Gary Lineker thought. One lofted effort (above) in the first half looked more suited to a game of headers and volleys than a must-win European Championship match.
I can vouch for this. https://t.co/2qaHnM20Za
— Mikey Stafford (@me_stafford) June 20, 2016
Game largely passed him by in the second half as Dier and Rooney led England’s ever more frantic efforts to find a goal.
Eric Dier – 7.5
England’s standout performer on a night that will not standout in memory. Neat and tidy with the ball while rarely threatening to do anything too constructive. One lovely long ball towards end of the first half almost released Sturridge. A drilled cross-cum-shot in the second half was inches from being turned home by Rooney.
Jack Wilshere – 5
Given the chance to shine in the Rooney role, the Arsenal man was very busy early on – it was his pass that released Lallana to set up Henderson for the first of his wasted chances. However as the game proceeded his efforts were benefitting Slovakia more than England.
Responsible for Slovakia’s best chance when he lost the ball in the middle of the field and his decision to turn down a shot on the edge of the area to instead pass the ball to a Slovakian defender somewhat summed up his evening. Replaced before the hour by Rooney and can have few complaints.
Adam Lallana – 6
Does so much well that it is just a shame he does not possess a better shot. The only member of the attacking front five selected for the opening two games to survive, he did look most comfortable in the opening exchanges.
Replaced on the hour by Hodgson, but he was showing more energy than most of his team-mates straight after the break,when they collectively failed to support him on a break. Fits England’s narrow midfield system very well.
Jamie Vardy – 6
Looked hungry as always, an early improvised effort with his knee skimming the roof of the net. He had the best chance of the game when Henderson released him over the top with the kind of pass gobbles up but his shot was too close to Matus Kozacik.
His sliding tackle on Juraj Kucka, and the England fans reaction to it, showed however that he brings much more than finsihing to this team. Even the sliding tackles disappeared in a second half where the Leicester striker seemed peripheral to proceedings.
Daniel Sturridge – 6
Could and should have scored with 15 minutes to go when Dier lofted a delightful ball over the top for him. It was a miss that proved costly. His coming deeper and deeper for possession was an indictment of England’s midfield and a waste of his pace and touch, which caused havoc in the box.
Took some time to play himself into proceedings but once he roused himself around the half hour mark he looked the England player most likely to make something happen. Slide-rule pass to release Clyne just after the break was evidence that he is a level above most of his team-mates. Shame about that miss.
Subs
Wayne Rooney for Wilshere 57′ – 7.5
Made an instant impact, playing the ball with more pace than Wilshere, delivering better setpieces than Henderson and got into the box more than Lallana. A powerful shot on 75 minutes deflected for a corner. He won’t be rested again in this tournament. Desperate to earn the three points but perhaps a little more composure in shooting positions was what was required.
Dele Alli for Lallana 60′ – 5
Almost scored with his first touch, Martin Skrtel clearing off the line after the Spurs man got a decent contact on a bouncing Henderson cross.
Harry Kane for Sturridge 76′ – 5
At least he didn’t have to take any corners.
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