England 4-0 Korea Republic: Player ratings as Lionesses breeze to Arnold Clark Cup victory
By Ali Rampling
England began the defence of the Arnold Clark Cup with a comfortable 4-0 victory over the Korea Republic at Stadium MK on Thursday.
The Lionesses needed a 42nd minute Georgia Stanway penalty to break the resolve of a stubborn Korean Republic in the first half, before a quick fire double from Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo shortly after the break put the game beyond the visitors.
Lauren James capped a player of the match performance by netting her maiden senior international goal 12 minutes from time.
England dominated possession and territory in the first half but had to be patient as they attempted to break down a defensively well-drilled Korea Republic.
James was the focal point of every positive England move, setting the tone for the evening by flashing narrowly wide in the early exchanges.
A stretching James couldn't quite make a clean connection with Kelly's back post cross and Stanway headed Alex Greenwood's teasing corner narrowly over as the Lionesses continued to push for the opener.
England had their clearest sight of goal of the evening seven minutes before the break, and unsurprisingly, James was the orchestrator. The forward danced into the box and teed up Russo, who cracked the inside of the post.
Moments later, England were provided with a golden opportunity to take the lead, James again involved as she was clipped in the box by Jang Sel-gi. Stanway emphatically dispatched the subsequent spot kick.
Having taken 42 minutes to break the deadlock in the first half, England needed just 46 seconds to get on the scoresheet in the second. Kelly won a loose ball on the edge of the box and rifled a deflected effort into the back of the net.
England really upped the intensity in the opening exchanges of the second half, and added a third shortly after. Greenwood did well to work an inch for herself on the left flank and deliver a low cross for Russo to delightfully flick past Korean goalkeeper Kim Jung-mi.
The Lionesses continued to apply the pressure, Stanway rattling the bar following a neat short corner routine between Greenwood and Ella Toone.
James was rewarded for her fine performance with her maiden England goal 12 minutes from time, picking up a loose ball on the edge of the box and fizzing it into the corner.
Katie Robinson should have also opened her England account, but could only crack the upright from two yards out, and the Lionesses had to make do with four.
England player ratings (4-3-3)
GK: Mary Earps - 6/10 - Basically a spectator at Stadium MK as England spent much of the game camped in the Korea Republic half. She'll have tougher days at the office.
RB: Lucy Bronze - 7/10 - Heavily involved going forward, particularly in the first half, sending in a series of dangerous low crosses. Not really tested defensively.
CB: Millie Bright - 7/10 - Audaciously fired wide from range in the first half as she got the defence of her golden boot underway. Came out on top in the physical battle and typically steady defensively, winning everything in the air.
CB: Jess Carter - 6/10 - Deployed at centre-back having played much of the season at left-back. Had a good physical battle with Son, but rarely tested too much defensively such was England's first half dominance. Subbed at the break.
LB: Alex Greenwood - 8/10 - Deployed at left-back having played much of the season at centre-back. Caused chaos with a few teasing corner deliveries. Instrumental in England's third, working an inch and finding Russo with a low cross. Steady defensively.
CM: Leah Williamson - 6/10 - Tidy in possession, kept play ticking over. Moved to centre-back at half-time, and she was able to dictate play with greater impact from here. Didn't have too much defending to do.
CM: Georgia Stanway - 8/10 - Headed a corner narrowly over, before expertly dispatching from the spot to give England the lead - her sixth successful spot kick in six attempts under Sarina Wiegman. Had a real physical battle with Ji. Cracked the bar in the second half.
CM: Ella Toone - 8/10 - Flashed an early effort wide in the early exchanges, and tracked back well in the first half during a rare Korean foray forward. Involved in England's fourth with a positive carry.
RW: Lauren James - 9/10 - Right at the heart of every positive England move with her ability to up the tempo with a burst of pace. Won the penalty for the Lionesses' opener. Such poise, balance and flair. Deservedly on the scoresheet with a rifled finish - her first senior international goal - to cap a top performance.
ST: Alessia Russo - 8/10 - Held up play well, and cracked the inside of the post with her clearest sighting of goal in the first half. Produced a delightful flicked finish to add a third for England.
LW: Chloe Kelly - 8/10 - Netted England's second with a confident effort from the edge of the box - with the help of a little deflection. Lively and dangerous, a constant threat.
Substitutes
SUB: Katie Zelem (46' for Carter) - 6/10
SUB: Lauren Hemp (63' for Kelly) - 6/10
SUB: Niamh Charles (63' for Charles) - 6/10
SUB: Rachel Daly (63' for Russo) - 6/10
SUB: Laura Coombs (67' for Stanway) - 6/10
SUB: Katie Robinson (81' for James) - 6/10
Manager: Sarina Wiegman - 7/10 - Remains unbeaten as England manager after a comfortable victory, while being able to rotate her side and experiment with different players in different positions.