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England Player Ratings Against France

England have started their Euro 2012 campaign with a hard-fought point against a French side ranked as one of the favourites for the tournament. But how did England’s players rate?

Joe Hart – Steady and reliable performance from England’s #1. Blameless for Samir Nasri’s goal. Never had a touch of the ‘Rob Green’s’ about him. Produced an outstanding save to deny Alou Diarra. 7/10

Glen Johnson – After a poor performance against Belgium last weekend, Liverpool’s right-back emerged from a shaky start putting in a steady performance in the second-half. Linked up well down the right. Deserves to keep his place against Sweden. 7/10.

Ashley Cole – Kept up his form from the Champions League final. Looked comfortable at the back dealing with Nasri and Frank Ribery and emerged as a real threat for England down the left in the second-half as he just kept going. 7/10.

Joleon Lescott – A disciplined performance from the Man City centre-half. Took his goal well beating Diarra to the ball. Failed to look flustered on what was his first appearance for England at a major tournament. Only gave the ball away once. 8/10

John Terry – Another solid performance from the former national captain. Failed to commit a foul, whilst watching Karim Benzema like a hawk. Moved about well, never straying too far away from his defensive partner Lescott. 7/10.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – It was a credit to the Arsenal youngster that he didn’t look out of place on the big occasion. Got the better of Mathieu Debuchy early on, showing glimpses of real magic. Never gave up and should keep his place against Sweden. 7/10.

Scott Parker – Despite putting in a gusty performance that is so often expected of him, the Spurs midfielder looked rugged particularly in the first-half. Was partly at fault for Nasri’s goal but emerged after the break putting in some important blocks. 6/10.

Steven Gerrard – Due to England’s formation, the skipper was forced to play more in a ‘quarter-back’ role and wasn’t in any real position to attack the whole game. Great delivery fro Lescott’s goal in what was a disciplined performance. 7/10.

James Milner – Failed to shine on the left and got doubled up on more than once occasion. Should have done better with first-half chance after rounding Hugo Lloris and faded out in the second-half. Can and has the ability do better. 5/10.

Ashley Young – Whilst not seeing much of the ball Young’s movement caught the eye and his pass for Milner’s chance was thread-of-the-needle stuff. Faded out after the break and was forced to drop back into midfield in search of the ball. 6/10.

Danny Welbeck – Showed in 90 minutes why he is so highly rated, causing Phillipe Mexes and Adil Rami problems. Puts in the work required by a big-man and held the ball up well without getting the support that he derserved. 7/10.

Subs:

Jermain Defoe – Came on for the Ox late on. Perhaps should have come on 10-15 minutes earlier but offered Welbeck support up top and played his part in a move that led to Mexes poking away a Milner cross two minutes from time. 5/10.

Jordan Henderson – The Liverpool man came on for the knackered Parker late on and offered Gerrard fresh legs in the middle. Made some nice tackles but other than that wasn’t called into action at all. 5/10

Theo Walcott – Was forced to wait 2-3 minutes on the sidelines due to the ball staying in-play before coming on for Welbeck in injury time. Touched the ball at least twice and will hope to see more action off the bench late in the tournament. 3/10.

By Adam Dennehey @ADennehey87

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