Malta 0-4 England: Player ratings as Three Lions cruise to Euro 2024 qualifying win

England maintained their 100% start to Euro 2024 qualifying with a comfortable 4-0 win at Malta on Friday evening.

Gareth Southgate's men sailed into a three-goal lead before half-time and were able to take their foot off the accelerator after the break, rounding off scoring late in the day from the penalty spot.

The visitors took the lead with eight minutes on the clock. Trent Alexander-Arnold - starting as a midfielder - picked out the run of Bukayo Saka, and the Arsenal winger's cross into the path of Harry Kane was turned into his own net by Ferdinando Apap.

Just before the half-hour mark, England had their second. James Maddison danced away from chasing Malta midfielders with a drop of the shoulder but his pass into Kane was intercepted. The ball fell kindly to Alexander-Arnold, who set himself and curled it into the top corner from just over 20 yards.

Almost immediately from the resulting kick-off, England won a penalty. Declan Rice's strike from distance was spilled by goalkeeper Henry Bonello, and Kane was fouled by Matthew Guillaumier trying to get to the loose ball. The skipper stepped up and put it straight down the middle, becoming the first player to score 50 competitive goals for the Three Lions.

Saka forced Bonello into a stretching save with a low drive with the final action before the half-time whistle.

After the break, substitute Phil Foden picked up a loose pass from the Maltese backline and slipped in Kane, but his dink was cleared off the line by the retreating Steve Borg.

With his side cruising, Southgate threw on Ebere Eze for his Three Lions debut, becoming the 18th Crystal Palace player to play for England.

England were awarded a second penalty with just under ten minutes remaining when Callum Wilson's cross was blocked by the hand of Borg, with a spot kick awarded following a VAR check. The Newcastle striker sent Bonello the wrong way from 12 yards.

The visitors nearly scored a fifth with their next attack. Marcus Rashford's low cross was spilled by Bonello, while Foden and Eze had their resulting shots blocked and England had to settle for just the four goals.

England are next in action on Monday night against North Macedonia at Old Trafford, while Malta face Ukraine.

England player ratings (4-3-3)

GK: Jordan Pickford - 5/10 - Little to do at all. One of his calmer nights in an England shirt, facing a grand total of zero shots.

RB: Kieran Trippier - 5/10 - Alexander-Arnold's dominance in the right half-space meant Trippier's attacking contribution was limited.

CB: Marc Guehi - 8/10 - Calm, composed and confident when stepping up to win back possession and maintain England's strong footing in the match.

CB: Harry Maguire - 6/10 - Afforded opportunities to use his aggressive tackling style. A threat on set pieces, as per.

LB: Luke Shaw - 6/10 - A largely quiet evening but was able to dribble up and beyond Henderson and Maddison on occasion in the first half.

DM: Declan Rice - 6/10 - Didn't need to be at his authoritative best and was able to control the midfield battle without much bite or urgency.

CM: Trent Alexander-Arnold - 9/10 - All of the England think-pieces for the next few days will be about how perfect a role this is for Alexander-Arnold, freed of defensive responsibilities and able to carve the chinks in Malta's armour open into gaping wounds.

CM: Jordan Henderson - 6/10 - Showed tremendous energy and tenacity from the first whistle, sweeping up on the rare occasions England were sloppy with the ball.

RW: Bukayo Saka - 8/10 - Malta's menace in the first half before having to be withdrawn with an ankle injury. Key to the opening goal and enjoyed running at the hosts' defence.

CF: Harry Kane - 8/10 - Only played an hour but Malta struggled to deal with the England captain, who was rewarded for his efforts with a goal from the penalty spot.

LW: James Maddison - 7/10 - Forced his way into a physical contest early on, eventually managing the confidence to run at Malta and rub shoulders with stars like Kane and Saka.

Substitutes

Phil Foden (46' for Saka) - 6/10 - Showed glimpses of flair and brilliance but there was little need to exert much energy at 3-0 up.

Tyrone Mings (60' for Shaw) - 6/10

Callum Wilson (60' for Kane) - 7/10

Marcus Rashford (60' for Henderson) - 6/10

Ebere Eze (69' for Maddison) - 6/10

Subs not used: Ramsdale (GK), Johnstone (GK), Walker, Stones, Phillips, Gallagher, Grealish

Manager

Gareth Southgate - 7/10 - England didn't need to get out of first gear to put Malta to the sword and he was able to aptly rotate during the second half.

Player of the match - Trent Alexander-Arnold