England vs. Germany: Final Player Ratings for the Three Lions

England 0-1 Germany, International Friendly

Goals: Mertesacker (39')

A first-half header from Per Mertesacker was the difference as England succumbed to a narrow friendly defeat to Germany at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday.

England hit the post through Andros Townsend but could not find an equaliser, with Germany looking marginally the more likely to grab the second goal as Joe Hart was called into a couple of smart saves.

Here's how the 11 starting England players fared.

Player	HT rating	FT rating
Joe Hart	6	8
Kyle Walker	6	6
Chris Smalling	6	8
Phil Jagielka	7	7
Ashley Cole	6	6
Steven Gerrard	7	7
Tom Cleverley	6	5
Andros Townsend	6	7
Adam Lallana	6	6
Wayne Rooney	7	6
Daniel Sturridge	6	7

First half analysis 

Joe Hart: Could do little for Mertesacker’s goal, a blow having made a brilliant save from a similar opening only seconds earlier. Otherwise composed despite the scrutiny on him.

Kyle Walker: Again showed a good understanding with Townsend, although Reus and Gotze occasionally caused him concern with their movement and poise.

Chris Smalling: Looked the most composed of England’s players in the early stages, comfortable on the ball and seemingly unfazed by Germany’s striker-less system. But was beaten by Mertesacker for the opening goal.

Phil Jagielka: A couple of errant touches early on did not concern him, as he marshalled the line authoritatively over rest of the half. A mistake against Mario Gotze nearly let the forward in.

Ashley Cole: A mediocre half by the left-back’s high standards. Clean on the ball and solid defensively, but his poor crossing in comparison to Leighton Baines was noticeable.

Steven Gerrard: Increasingly reliable and consistent for England, the skipper tried to propel his side in the middle part of the half and especially when they went behind.

Tom Cleverley: Looked off the pace initially, characterised by a late foul on Marco Reus. But showed some good early touches and nearly won a penalty with a slick run into the box.

Andros Townsend: His pace clearly scared the Germany defenders, even if his end product was not in evidence.

Adam Lallana: Started out on the left—although interchanging with Rooney as the half went on—the Southampton man was out of the game a lot but showed good intelligence and smart feet when the ball did find him.

Wayne Rooney: Demanding of the ball and usually clever with it, the forward had no real chances to speak of beyond a header that was always sailing over the bar.

Daniel Sturridge: A mobile No. 9, Sturridge was occasionally out of position when his team-mates needed him centrally, yet also often offered a welcome outlet on either flank. No real chances to speak of and a bit selfish in the box, though.

Second half analysis

Joe Hart: A few more smart saves were undermined somewhat by a hare-brained decision to storm from goal that left Smalling sprawled across the turf. Nevertheless, no costly mistakes means the No. 1 shirt still resides with him.

Kyle Walker: Again, occasionally caught out with his positioning, but the sophisticated movement of Reus and Gotze will do that to the best defenders. He continues to get closer to being England’s No. 1 choice at right-back.

Chris Smalling: Continued to impress with his calm on the ball and good reading of the play, although his communication with Hart evidently still needs some work.

Phil Jagielka: Was calm on the ball if occasionally bypassed by smart German play. Not his greatest night, but nothing to undermine his status as one half of England’s first-choice centre-back pairing.

Ashley Cole: Replaced almost immediately by Kieran Gibbs.

Steven Gerrard: Replaced almost immediately by Jordan Henderson.

Tom Cleverley: Is this the night Cleverley’s World Cup dream died? Useful on the ball without being impactful, he did nothing to usurp the likes of Carrick, Lampard and Wilshere in England’s midfield pecking order.

Andros Townsend: Pace to burn even as the game wore on, although his understanding with players other than Walker could still be improved—and he did hit the post with a long-range effort. Nevertheless, only injury seems possible of preventing him being at least in England’s provisional squad for Brazil.

Adam Lallana: Much of the same, with two brilliant turns in the German box suggesting he has the sort of guile that might unlock a defence or two on this stage. But seemed startled by the pace of play defensively.

Wayne Rooney: Not his most impressive game by any means, but this is not the stage England need him to perform. His partnership with Sturridge still needs a lot of developing.

Daniel Sturridge: Played the whole match despite injury niggles, perhaps an indication of how important Hodgson feels him to be. This was not his best night, but he had his moments where he looked threatening.