Montenegro vs England: Ranking the England Players

England took to the opening of the match like the team so many have hyped them to be. The European Champion hopefuls took the early lead on the 11th minute thanks to Ashley Young.

Twenty minutes later Young was again involved, as he has been in eight of England's last 14 goals, when he put in the pass to Darren Bent who took the nation 2-0 up as the visitors.

That however, looked to be the wake up call for Montenegro as they surged forward for the next fifteen minutes and pulled one goal back just before the half.

Montenegro came out in the second half picking up where they left off and England was again fending off attacks but finally looked to settle after a tough ten minutes into the next period.

Ashley Young celebrated as he thought his job was done after coming off at the 60th minute with his side a goal to the good.

However, the night was only getting more interesting as 12 minutes later Wayne Rooney made perhaps the worst decision of his clubs European Championship qualifying run by earning a Red Card for a terrible tackle attempt.

After a serious of attacks lasting the majority of the finally ten minutes of the match Montenegro finally scored to bring the match level in stoppage time. The draw guaranteed England's advancement as group winners, and booked the Montenegrin's a spot in the playoff round.

It now leaves the club without their biggest strike weapon for the opening two games of the tournament next summer. On top of that, the game ended in frustration as Montenegro brought the game level in stoppage time.

Joe Hart

Joe Hart had little to do in the first half, but it only took one superb chested cross and shot from Elsad Zverotic to put the home team only one goal down just before the half.

The second half started off with England on the back foot with Hart having to be much more involved.

Once Rooney was sent off, he had much more to deal with and unfortunately gave up an equaliser at the death, thanks to the back line going to shambles in the box.

Phil Jones

Phil Jones had a great first half showing the same ability on both sides of the ball that he has all season for Manchester United.

A poor tackle in the opening minutes of the second half were lucky not to give away a penalty to the home team that would have seen them an early chance to draw the game level.

Jones continued his attacking runs in the second half putting in a good cross around the 65th minute.

However, the defense giving up the equaliser dampened his delight on an otherwise well played debut for the youngster.

Gary Cahill

Gary Cahill was solid at the back throughout the night and helped keep a clean sheet, until the final minutes of the first half.

Cahill deflected the shot from Zverotic that brought the home team within one of level at the half.

The second half saw Cahill along with the rest of the England squad loose their way for most of the opening 20 minutes, as their dominant performance from the first half started to look a distant memory.

John Terry

John Terry was as solid just as Cahill and help maintain a strong back line that was only truly troubled in the dying part of the first half when they eventually gave up an inside the box goal.

However, the second half was a different story, as Terry's defense was unfurled on multiple occasions allowing the home side to equalize just before the end of stoppage time.

Ashley Cole

Ashley Cole seemed the least noticed of the night in the first half, but still put on a solid performance on the left side of defense.

The second half saw him more drawn into the game, and his ability began to show with a great attempt to free Darren Bent.

Cole, regrettably, was part of the England defense that started to fall apart in the ending stages of the second half–just like they had in the first–and allowed the equalizer to frustrate their night.

Theo Walcott

Walcotts cross on the 11th minute gave Ashley Young a free header, which he dispatched into the back of the net with ease.

He also troubled the left side of the Montenegran defense for the majority of the night–thanks to his pace.

Walcott had had a good game until Rooney's sending-off resulted in him being subbed-off for Danny Welbeck.

Scott Parker

Parker was solid in the middle of the pitch, and was a great link between Wayne Rooney and Gareth Barry as the central point of transition from anchor position.

Gareth Barry

Gareth Barry was solid as the holding midfielder and broke down multiple attacks from the home side who finally started to find their feet in the last 15 minutes of the first half.

Barry was faced with attack after attack in the second half. It was only intensified after the loss of Rooney, which put the Three Lions down a man.

Ashley Young

Ashley Young opened the scoring for England with a free header courtesy of a Theo Walcott, cross thanks to great build-up play from his United teammate Wayne Rooney.

Again, Young was involved with another England goal, as his through ball to Darren Bent allowed the Aston Villa Forward a simple tap in for the second goal of the night.

Stewart Downing replaced him at the 60th minute. He was greatly missed after his club teammate Rooney was sent off.

Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney was responsible for the ball played out to Walcott, that culminated with Ashley Young scoring the opening goal.

The Manchester United striker played in a deeper role that saw him moving up and back as a supporting forward, rather than out and out goal scorer. He was allowed to release Young out wide in the 32nd minute, which opened up room for Darren Bent to have a simple tap in from the United winger.

Despite what looked to be a solid performance from Rooney, he made a terribly stupid tackle attempt, kicking out at Dzudovic and left the referee no option but to send him off. Now he is suspended for the first two games of the Euro's.

Darren Bent

Darren Bent assisted in allowing Theo Walcott have an early shot on goal in the 6th minute. That would eventually score the second goal for the Three Lions on the 32nd minute, thanks to an assist from Ashley Young.

The forward was not as impressive in the second half, and made an early exit for Frank Lampard who came on to allow Rooney the ability to move further up the pitch into a more attacking forward role.

Conclusions

Montenegro were right to celebrate at the death, as their efforts had seen them score two late goals, one in the stoppage time of each half.

Their draw sees them move on with a chance to still qualify for the Euro's.

However, despite taking the group and being the automatic qualifiers, England will once again have many questions to answer.

What was Rooney thinking now that he will be suspended for two games in the opening stage of the European Championship? Why does the defense seem to fall apart in the last ten minutes of any half and what will be the solution?

Fabio Capello will once again be under the gun and it is going to be an interesting nine months as the Three Lions try to sort out their continued falterings.

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