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England Player Ratings Against Italy

So England are out of Euro 2012 after losing to Italy. Which England players came out with credit after the game. Who had a shocker and who went down fighting?

Joe Hart – England’s #1 proved his importance to the team once again. Marshalled his defence well but will be annoyed he didn’t get close to saving in the shoot-out. 7/10 

Glen Johnson – On the night, Johnson was probably England’s best player. He got forward well and made several fine blocks and interceptions when Italy were dominating. 8/10

Joleon Lescott – Kept up his good-form in the tournament being one of Roy Hodgson’s heroes on the night. Dealt with Mario Balotelli and Antonio Cassano well and has done enough to keep his place post Euro 2012. 7/10.

John Terry –  Was severley tested at the back and although he allowed Balotelli get behind him in the first half, he recovered well to block his goal-bound shot. Made some great last-ditch headers and blocks in what could well be his final tournament game for his country. 7/10

Ashley Cole – Will be incredibly dissapointed in himself with his penalty miss but that didn’t ruin what had been a good performance. Kept his focus the whole game and was England’s biggest threat down the left on his 97th apperance for his country 6/10

Ashley Young – Had another quiet night in probably his worst performance in an England shirt. Wasn’t able to trouble his full-back. Couldn’t have done anymore with his chance inside the area before being unlucky to see his penalty come back off the bar with Gianluigi Buffon well beaten. 4/10.

Scott Parker – Father time may have finally caught up with the dynamic and hardworking Spurs man. Trapped in his own half he wasn’t able to influence the game and his passing let him down. Could well be his final apperance for his country. 6/10

Steven Gerrard – Over the years it’s not too often that the Liverpool man has looked knackered but he just doesn’t have the legs anymore to boss the big games. Kept going though but with Parker fading wasn’t able to get forward and dropped too deep. 7/10

James Milner – A better performance from the right-winger. Linked up well with Johnson before being substituted providing support down the flanks. Struggled to keep the ball when up against two players doubling up on him and needs a rest to recharge his batteries. 5/10.

Wayne Rooney– Aside from a couple of half-chances wasn’t able to influence the game at all. Had to drop deep to get the ball and was only able to run forward with the ball once before being hacked down by Daniele De Rossi. At least he scored his penalty. 6/10

Danny Welbeck – After doing so well in England’s three previous games, this was arguably the Manchester United man’s worst performance of the tournament. Mind you, just like Rooney he was given no support from midfield. Could have done better with his first-half chance. 5/10

Subs:

Theo Walcott – Came on for Milner with 30 minutes to go. Sadly with England dropping deep he was unable to get on the ball much which was frustrating. On the two occasions he did get in good positions to cross the ball he was sadly not picked out by Parker. 3/10

Andy Carroll – Did his best to hold onto the ball after coming on for Welbeck. Won his headers and brought others into play but didn’t have a chance on goal. Suprisingly didn’t take a penalty in the shoot-out, not that he was to blame for England’s defeat. 3/10

Jordan Henderson – Came on for the knackered Parker in extra-time. Despite not having much time on the ball he showed discipline when defending which is a good sign for the future. Will be a part of Hodgson’s squad for years to come  3/10

By Adam Dennehey @ADennehey87

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