England have won the inaugural Arnold Clark Cup after beating Germany 3-1 at Molineux on Wednesday evening.

Having scored just once in their opening two matches, Sarina Wiegman had called on England to be more ruthless in their final Arnold Clark Cup match. Within 15 minutes her prayers were answered. Fran Kirby played in Ellen White at the second time of asking with a well-weighted pass, and the Manchester City forward rolled her defender before coolly prodding home.

Germany levelled five minutes before the break, Lina Magull sending a fabulous free kick from range thundering in off the underside of the bar.

Kirby had a well worked effort blocked in the second half after one of Lauren Hemp’s many forays down the left flank, while Leah Williamson fired over from range.

As the clock ticked towards 90, Hemp was finally rewarded for one of her scurries forward. The Manchester City winger slalomed through the Germany backline, and her deflected shot fell to the feet of (temporary striker) Millie Bright, who tucked home.

Fran Kirby wrapped up the victory in stoppage time, breaking from the half way line and slotting home to confirm England as Arnold Clark Cup champions.

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Ellie Roebuck (GK) – 6/10 – Making her first start under Wiegman, was uncharacteristically shaky with her distribution early doors. Soon grew into the game, making a good stretching save to keep out Buhl’s low cross.

Lucy Bronze (RB) – 5/10 – Conceded possession in the build-up to Germany’s equaliser. Beaten by Buhl a couple of times in the first half, made a brilliant recovery run to dispossess her in the second.

Millie Bright (CB) – 7/10 – Tidied up well at the back on a number of occasions. Put up front in the final 10 minutes, and rewarded her manager’s bold call with another goal.

Alex Greenwood (CB) – 6/10 – Really showed off her passing range, getting Stanway in behind with a particularly fabulous through ball in the first half. Conceded the free kick from which Germany equalised.

Jess Carter (LB) – 6/10 – A tenacious display in and out of possession, before seeing her evening cut short due to injury after half an hour.

Keira Walsh (CM) – 8/10 – So effective in tight spaces and efficient in possession.

Leah Williamson (CM) – 6/10 – Like Walsh, so smart on the ball and calm under pressure – although Williamson did surrender possession more frequently than her centre-mid partner. The emergence of such a promising holding midfield duo is one of the key positive for England this tournament.

Georgia Stanway (AM) – 6/10 – Carved open England’s first opening of the game with a really smart run in behind, only for her teasing cross to evade everyone. Had an audacious volley from range comfortably saved. Replaced on the hour.

Fran Kirby (RW) – 7/10 – Set up England’s opener with a perfectly weighted pass to White. Moved to the number 10 role for the final half an hour and scored a fantastic solo goal at the end to wrap up the win.

Ellen White (ST) – 7/10 – Gave England an early lead with a typically calm, instinctive Ellen White finish.

Lauren Hemp (LW) – 9/10 – The roar every time Hemp was on the ball was comparable to the reception she received when entering the fray at Carrow Road. Adventurous, always looking to run at her fullback and looked England’s most dangerous player. An outstanding display.

Rachel Daly – 6/10

Nikita Parris – 7/10

Alessia Russo – 6/10

Ella Toone – 6/10

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Merle Frohms (GK) – 6/10 – Comfortably held onto a Stanway volley from range, unable to close down White fast enough in the build up to England’s opener.

Maximiliane Rall (RB) – 5/10 – Had a free header from a corner comfortably saved in the early exchanges of the first half, before testing Roebuck with a strike from the edge of the box. Had her work cut out defensively against the effervescent Hemp.

Sophia Kleinherne (CB) – 7/10 – Did a good defensive job on White, who was left to feed off scraps after her goal.

Jana Feldkamp (CB) – 7/10 – Very solid and comfortable bringing the ball out from the back.

Giulia Gwinn (LB) – 7/10 – Really solid defensively, doing an impressive job against Kirby.

Sara Dabritz (CM) – 6/10 – Fired over from the edge of the box in the second half. Couldn’t get near Walsh and Williamson in the first half, more effective in the press in the second.

Fabienne Dongus (CM) – 5/10 – Had a quiet first half but grew into the second period as Germany put more pressure on the England midfield. Replaced after 65 minutes.

Lina Magull (CM) – 7/10 – Levelled the scores with a fabulous free kick from the edge of the box. Replaced after 65 minutes.

Nicole Anyomi (RW) – 4/10 – Didn’t have a lot of joy up against Carter or Daly, and switched to the left wing towards the end of the first half. Replaced at the break.

Lea Schuller (ST) – 5/10 – Kept fairly quiet by England’s centre halves and left to feed off scraps.

Klara Buhl (LW) – 7/10 – Got the better of Bronze on a couple of occasions with her directness. Switched to the right flank as the first half drew to a close.

Jule Brand – 6/10

Chantel Hagel – 5/10

Linda Dallmann – 5/10

Selina Cerci – N/A

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