England player-by-player assessment

Norman Fo
Saturday 08 June 1996 18:02 EDT
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1 David Seaman

4 saves

7 clearances

6 passes

Must have been wondering how he got mixed up with such a motley crew. The lads depend on him to prop them up at 3am or 3pm. A minute from closing time he excelled with his only serious save.

7

2 Gary Neville

23 passes

2 tackles

1 shot

While all about him older hands trembled he began and ended more maturely than most and tackled most problems positively. Enjoyed his first half space. Driven back in the second - weren't they all.

6

3 Stuart Pearce

22 passes

6 tackles

2 shots

When the going gets tough, the tough used to get the hell out of his way. Not now. Experience counts in tournament conditions, but ageing legs go first. Even his free kicks lacked the old venom.

5

4 Paul Ince

11 passes

5 tackles

1 shot

In a performance of few pluses, he did his mopping up efficiently but without the impetus that the Swiss showed in similar deep midfield situations. At least this time he and Gascoigne kept out of each others' way.

6

5 Tony Adams

17 passes

4 tackles

0 shots

If he badly wanted to give a captain's turn he was predictably found out. He turns like a fully-laden tanker. Turkyilmaz washed him away. He can thank Southgate for not being further embarrassed.

5

6 Gareth

Southgate

14 passes

2 tackles

0 shots

Charming, erudite young man, but communications with Adams are clearly going to be a problem. Before England conceded so much space in the second half, his excursions were first class.

6

8 Paul Gascoigne

43 passes

2 tackles

2 shots

Will he ever be up to his old tricks again ... the ones that take you to the brink of saying "genius" before stepping back as he spits out his gum and makes a stupid face? His deft touch began the goal.

6

9 Alan Shearer

20 passes

0 tackles

3 shots

Perhaps after all he will not go down as another of those "world class" strikers whose world is really Saturday afternoon at the club. Well taken goal and lots of sensible off-the-ball work - at last!

8

10 Teddy

Sheringham

13 passes

0 tackles

2 shots

Hopes that he can replace the angelic assassin Gary Lineker are not helped when he lacks sharpness and disappears for too long. Perhaps he suffered from Shearer's revival.

5

11 Darren

Anderton

21 passes

0 tackles

1 shot

Had his doubters and after this still has. Yet inexplicably Venables kept him on when it was the other flankman, McManaman, who did a proper winger's job and got substituted.

5

17 Steve

McManaman

19 passes

0 tackles

1 shot

Began by skinning two defenders; did it again occasionally and persecuted new-boy Jeanneret with pace. Not enough for Venables, who took him off. Odd since he was a rare success.

7

14 Nick Barmby

3 passes

Brought on to pep up the attackers but most of them were already playing in their own half.

6

20 Steve Stone

6 passes, 1 tackle

Added pithy directness near the end by which time many fans thought England were the pits.

6

7 David Platt

3 passes

Little opportunity to add to his impressive tally of goals. Struggled to get into the game.

5

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