England player ratings as Raheem Sterling hat-trick downs Czech Republic

A Raheem Sterling hat-trick helped England get off to a perfect start in their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign, dispatching a poor Czech Republic side 5-0 at Wembley.

The deadlock was broken on 24 minutes when Sterling latched onto the end of a Jadon Sancho cross after the 18-year-old had been teed up by a delightfully weighted through ball from Harry Kane.

The England captain then doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time from the penalty spot after Sterling was fouled by two Czech defenders.

Sterling scored his third just after the hour when swiveling and shooting into the far corner with his left foot before a deflected shot from distance completed his hat-trick.

The win was rounded off when Tomas Kalas could only push the ball back into his own net after Callum Hudson-Odoi’s shot was parried by goalkeeper Jiri Pavlenka.

How England lined up:

Ratings

Jordan Pickford: Will have been grateful for a relatively quiet night given recent poor form for Everton. Made decent saves when called upon in second-half 7/10

Kyle Walker: Quiet first-half given Czechs’ near-refusal to attack but called into action as game wore on and marshalled Matej Vydra well 7/10

Ben Chilwell: Fifth consecutive start for the Three Lions and looks more than comfortable in the shirt, even if he will face much tougher tests than tonight 7/10

Michael Keane: One too many horizontal passes compared to the more creative John Stones who missed out through injury. Will need to impress more in Montenegro on Monday 6/10

Harry Maguire: Read the game well as the often deepest lying defender. Missed chance to score from a corner but otherwise solid 6/10

Eric Dier: Perhaps the most controversial choice in the starting XI. Recipient of a nasty knock in opening exchanges and replaced by Barkley 5/10

Jordan Henderson: Barkley’s introduction for Dier enabled Henderson to play his more natural all-round game. Most energetic and vocal as England stuttered in second-half 7/10

Dele Alli: System forced him into deeper role than is his best but nevertheless linked the play well enough before being replaced by Declan Rice 7/10

Jadon Sancho: Capitalised on excellent Kane through ball to set up Sterling’s goal. Showed tenacity in tracking back and delightful pieces skill going forward. What a gem England have found 8/10

Raheem Sterling: Showed deadly finishing instincts for first and second goals, made brilliant darting run to win penalty and had stroke of fortune for third 9/10

Harry Kane: Forced to drop deep to find space and made a wonderful pass to tee up Sancho’s assist for Sterling before burying penalty on stroke of half-time 8/10

Subs

Ross Barkley: Introduction gave the midfield a more natural balance when replacing injured Dier on 16 minutes but struggled to directly impact the game 6/10

Declan Rice: Came on for Alli after an hour and showed some nice touches as England dominated the late stages 6/10

Callum Hudson-Odoi: Replaced Sterling with 20 minutes left. Teed up Kalas’ own goal with a low shot to Pavlenka’s left 7/10