
Albania 0-2 England: Player ratings as Kane & Mount secure comfortable victory
Goals from Harry Kane and Mason Mount gave England a routine 2-0 win over Albania in Group I of World Cup qualifying on Sunday evening.
After surviving an early scare, England took a first half lead through Kane who met Luke Shaw’s cross with a well-timed header.
After the break the visitors stepped up the intensity and got their reward when Raheem Sterling forced a mistake out of their opponents. This allowed Kane to slide Mount through and the Chelsea midfielder lifted the ball into the top corner.
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The victory means England top their World Cup qualifying group after two games with six points and a goal difference of plus seven.
Here are your Three Lions player ratings from Tirana…

Nick Pope (GK) – 6/10 – No saves to make at all. Surely he should be working from home?
Kyle Walker (RB) – 7/10 – Picked up a silly yellow card in the second half. He was good other than that, helping out in attack with his constant overlaps.
John Stones (CB) – 7/10 – A few loose passes aside, this was a fine return to the fray. The couple of times Albania managed to get in behind will worry Southgate, though this was probably not Stones‘ fault.
Harry Maguire (CB) – 7/10 – Stepped into midfield to help his side circulate possession. Dominant in the air and bounced back bravely after Pope clobbered him in the second half.
Luke Shaw (LB) – 8/10 – Exemplary. Set up Kane’s goal with an excellent cross and was solid defensively, winning the majority of his duels.

Declan Rice (CM) – 8/10 – Provided England with a solid base. Barely misplaced a pass and also broke up play effectively.
Kalvin Phillips (CM) – 6/10 – Not quite as tidy or imperious as Rice. Created one chance but sometimes felt like a spare part as England enjoyed so much possession.
Mason Mount (CM) – 8/10 – Popped up all over the place in a free midfield role and took his goal excellently. Recovered from an early error to put in a solid defensive shift as well, winning nine of his 12 duels.

Phil Foden (RW) – 7/10 – Manhandled by Albania at times but that did not stop him. No goal involvements but he was always lively.
Harry Kane (ST) – 8/10 – Showed great movement for the goal and was only denied another in the first half by the woodwork. His second half yellow card was as soft a decision as you will ever see.
Raheem Sterling (LW) – 7/10 – A couple of really bright moments where he showed off his close control. Very nearly set up Kane and Foden, while his interception led to the second goal.
James Ward-Prowse – 6/10 – Kept things tidy for the last 20 minutes.
Jesse Lingard – 6/10 – Not massively involved after coming on.