England 4-0 Bulgaria: Full player ratings as hat-trick takes Kane past Geoff Hurst

England took another step closer to Euro 2020 qualification with a 4-0 win over Bulgaria.

Harry Kane gave England the lead midway through the first half and doubled it just after half-time. Raheem Sterling then got England’s third before Kane completed his hat-trick.

The victory sees England top of Group A with three wins in three, ahead of Tuesday’s game against second-placed Kosovo.

Here’s how the players rated.

England

Jordan Pickford – 7 – Had a fairly straightforward game, but was equal to Bulgaria’s shots when he needed to be.

Kieran Trippier – 6 – Got forward quite a bit throughout the game and was not really troubled defensively. A solid performance on his return to the England side.

Michael Keane – 6 – The Everton centre-back had a solid game without being tested too much.

Harry Maguire – 7 – Defended well when required and also proved to be the first line of attack at times for England.

Danny Rose – 8 – Enjoyed his game down the left, causing Bulgaria’s defenders serious problems and almost got the goal his performance deserved after a cutting run, but his shot was blocked.

Declan Rice – 7 – Shielded the defence well and continues to grow as an England midfielder.

Jordan Henderson – 6 – A good, if unspectacular, game for the Liverpool captain.

Ross Barkley – 7 – Showed promise in the midfield with some good passing.

Raheem Sterling – 8 – Tested Bulgaria’s back five with his direct play and showed quick thinking to intercept the goalkeeper’s poor pass before setting up Kane. Scored England’s third from close range, doing well to get ahead of the defender.

Harry Kane – 9 – Showed his eye for goal from early on, having a goal ruled out for offside. Broke the deadlock shortly after with a good first-time finish and doubled England’s lead from the penalty spot. Then turned provider for Sterling to make it three having initially won the ball back, before completing his hat-trick with another penalty to overtake Geoff Hurst on the list of England goalscorers.

Harry Kane's game by numbers vs. Bulgaria:

5 shots
4 shots on target
3 goals
2 interceptions
1 assist

Another match ball for the collection. pic.twitter.com/lnj3MEvLvg

— Squawka (@Squawka) September 7, 2019

Marcus Rashford – 7 – Teased Bulgaria’s defence without truly testing them in the first half. Upped his game after half-time and won the penalty for Kane’s second before playing a part in England’s third. Moved central after Kane was taken off but with the game over, ease off.

Substitutes:

Mason Mount (for Henderson 67) – 6 – On for his England debut and placed on the left wing, the young midfielder was quick to press and not afraid to shoot.

Mason Mount makes his first senior appearance for England, playing in midfield alongside one of his childhood friends.

They both made it. 💪 pic.twitter.com/y9ESubMc05

— Squawka (@Squawka) September 7, 2019

Jadon Sancho (for Sterling 71) – 6 – Had few chances to show what he can do on the ball as England took their foot off the gas.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (for Kane 77) – 6 – Looked good after coming on, without adding too much to England’s attack with the game over.

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Bulgaria

Plamen Iliev – 3 – Was at fault for England’s opening goal, passing the ball straight to Sterling inside his own area. Easily beaten by Kane’s penalties and Sterling’s finish, but saved well from Rashford late on.

Strahil Popov – 5 – Looked to get forward when he could and provided a good cross for his namesake only for his header to be poor. Had his work cut out for him defensively though, restricting his attacking options.

Nikolay Bodurov – 3 – Despite conceding, Bodurov had a decent first half, forming part of the tight back five. However, he was suckered in by Rashford inside the first five minutes of the second half, going to ground and conceding a penalty. And things got worse as his pass was intercepted by Kane in the build up to England’s third. Taken off before things got worse.

Georgi Sarmov – 4 – Dropping back from behind to join the defence, Sarmov did not look out of place and produced some good defensive moments in the first half. But he, and his team-mates, fell apart after the break.

Vasil Bozhikov – 4 – Perhaps could have reacted quicker for Iliev’s misplaced pass, to put pressure on Sterling, but his goalkeeper must take the lion’s share of the blame. Struggled to keep hold of the game as England’s confidence grew.

Anton Nedyalkov – 4 – Troubled by Sterling throughout, the full-back will be glad to see the back of the Manchester City man. Offered very little in attack.

Galin Ivanov – 4 – Largely quiet with fewer touches than any other Bulgaria starter, completing just 64% of his passes.

Ivelin Popov – 6 – Had a good opportunity to draw Bulgaria level with a free header inside the box, but his effort was poor and easily saved by Pickford.

Kristiyan Malinov – 5 – Helped to frustrate England slightly, with some good tackles in the midfield.

Wanderson – 5 – Had Bulgaria’s first chance but his shot from outside the area was tame, was otherwise kept quiet in the first half. Once again tested Pickford in the early stages after half-time from close range.

Marcelinho – 4 – Had a fairly quiet game with Bulgaria setting up to defend and was taken off without managing a shot.

Substitutes:

Kristian Dimitrov (for Bodurov 65) – 4 – Came on to try and shore up the defence but conceded Bulgaria’s second penalty, hindering Kane when the Englishman attempted to shoot.

Kiril Despodov (for Marcelinho 67) – 4 – Changed nothing for Bulgaria with an anonymous 25 minutes.

Daniel Mladenov (for G Ivanov 82) – 5 – Very little time to do anything either positive or negative.