Mary Earps, The Man Utd goalkeeper made some big stops as the reigning European champions bounced back from last month’s defeat to the Netherlands.
There was expectation and, to be honest, a little bit of pressure on England on Friday. Belgium, top of their UEFA Women’s Nations League group, were in town and the Lionesses needed to bounce back from last month’s defeat to the Netherlands. But if these England players had any anxieties, they overcame them as a narrow 1-0 win moved the reigning European champions a step closer to taking control of a group they need to win to stand a chance of achieving their goal of Olympic qualification.
Despite an early scare when Mary Earps was forced into a fantastic save by Justine Vanhaevermaet, this game was all England. It took just 13 minutes for Lauren Hemp to break the deadlock, pouncing on the rebound after Millie Bright’s header cannoned off the post, and although the Lionesses couldn’t double that lead, they were comfortable.
After a couple of chances in the first half, Belgium attacks became few and far between as the game wore on, which will have been something of a relief for an England side that just couldn’t find that cutting edge in the final third to put the result beyond doubt. Three points was the main objective here, though, and that is exactly what Sarina Wiegman’s side left with.
NEWSEMBASSY rates England’s players from the King Power Stadium…
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GettyGoalkeeper & Defence
Mary Earps (7/10):
Was called into action to make a brilliant save in the opening minutes. Made a few more strong stops, too, to keep her clean sheet. Superb.
Lucy Bronze (6/10):
Attacked well. Should’ve had a goal shortly after the break.
Millie Bright (6/10):
Had to be on her toes early on to deal with a promising Belgium attack. Great on the ball and her thumping header led to Hemp’s goal.
Alex Greenwood (7/10):
Delivered good set pieces and was superb in possession, as usual.
Niamh Charles (7/10):
Got up and down the pitch brilliantly. A real spring in her step given her fantastic form.
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GettyMidfield
Keira Walsh (6/10):
A couple of uncharacteristically sloppy moments on the ball, including one that nearly let Belgium in. Was crucial in England controlling the game, though.
Georgia Stanway (6/10):
Battled well off the ball but couldn’t have too much influence on it.
Ella Toone (6/10):
Great in the Lionesses’ build-up play but just lacked that cutting edge with her final pass.
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GettyAttack
Chloe Kelly (7/10):
Created chances aplenty with her incisive passes and great set pieces.
Alessia Russo (6/10):
Passing was excellent. Took up good positions in the box but just couldn’t put away the chances she got.
Lauren Hemp (7/10):
Always in dangerous positions and posing a threat, most notably by breaking the deadlock.
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GettySubs & Manager
Rachel Daly (5/10):
Introduced just after the hour but struggled to get involved.
Fran Kirby (5/10):
Played half an hour on her first appearance for England in over a year. Some good movement and nice passes but couldn’t have too much of an impact.
Jess Park (N/A):
Only on for the final few minutes, though she was lively in that short time.
Sarina Wiegman (7/10):
Decision to revert back to a 4-3-3 set-up meant that England looked much more solid in defence and it also got more out of Kelly, which was a real positive. Charles’ start at left-back worked out well, too. Only negative was the Lionesses’ inability to put their chances away to make the scoreline more comfortable.
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Very lovely