Northern Ireland 0-5 England: Player ratings as Lionesses cruise to victory at Windsor Park
By Ali Rampling
Lauren Hemp and Georgia Stanway netted a brace a piece as England maintained their 100% start to World Cup qualifying with a 5-0 win over Northern Ireland at Windsor Park.
England saw two chances go begging in the first half, before unleashing their ruthless side in the second period to run out comfortable winners.
Both Ellen White and Beth Mead should have opened the scoring inside the opening 20 minutes, before the deadlock was finally broken by Hemp. The City winger started the move with a signature driving run, and finished it by fortuitously looping Ella Toone's delivery into the net.
Northern Ireland kept England at bay for the remainder of the first half with a flurry of last ditch defensive efforts, Sarah McFadden putting her body on the line on a number of occasions, but the Lionesses went up a notch in the second half, and the game was put beyond the hosts by the hour mark.
Lucy Bronze's tenacious run and delivery was confidently turned home by Toone, before Hemp added her second by latching on to Leah Williamson's through ball and confidently rounding Jackie Burns in the Northern Ireland goal.
Toone then turned provider for England's fourth, showing great feet to weave her way into the box, before unselfishly squaring it to Stanway. The Manchester City midfielder doubled her tally for the evening with a half volley 11 minutes from time.
Northern Ireland player ratings
1. Goalkeeper & defenders
Jackie Burns (GK) - 5/10 - Produced a decent save to keep Mead out in the first half. Gifted England possession in the build up to the visitor's opener with a skewed clearance - otherwise brave with the ball at her feet as Northern Ireland persevered with playing out from the back.
Abbie Magee (RB) - 5/10 - Struggled against Hemp in the first half, with the majority of England's chances coming down the Northern Ireland left.
Julie Nelson (CB) - 7/10 - Doubled up with Magee in an attempt to keep Hemp quiet, popping up with a couple of important blocks
Sarah McFadden (CB) - 8/10 - Made a stunning goal line clearance and a couple of big tackles to deny Mead and White in the first half, typifying the Northern Irish defensive effort.
Kelsie Burrows (CB) - 6/10 - A tenacious defensive display. Replaced with 15 minutes remaining.
Demi Vance (LB) - 5/10 - Had a really competitive battle against Bronze, really struggled against the lively Hemp in the second half.
2. Midfielders
Marissa Callaghan (CM) - 6/10 - Tireless and committed, but like the entire Northern Ireland midfield, struggled to provide service to the front two.
Joely Andrews (CM) - 6/10 - Making her first senior international start, created Northern Ireland's first opening with a bursting run and pass.
Rachel Furness (CM) - 7/10 - Always available and incredibly composed on the ball in her own half. Replaced in the second half.
3. Forwards
Simone Magill (ST) - 5/10 - Held the ball up well at times but largely left to feed off scraps, as Northern Ireland spent much of the game camped in their own half.
Lauren Wade (ST) - 5/10 - Produced Northern Ireland's first shot on target with a decent strike from the edge of the box, drawing a good save from Earps. Replaced in the second half.
4. Substitutes
Chloe McCarron - 5/10
Kirsty McGuinness - 5/10
Rebecca McKenna - 5/10
Nadene Caldwell - 5/10
England player ratings
5. Goalkeeper & defenders
Mary Earps (GK) - 6/10 - Untroubled in the first half before leaping into action in the second with a low save to keep out Wade.
Lucy Bronze (RB) - 7/10 - Set up England's second with a tenacious run and low cross. Gave the ball away on occasions, but always quick to win it back.
Leah Williamson (CB) - 7/10 - Set up England's third with a great carry and even better pass to split the Northern Ireland backline and feed Hemp.
Millie Bright (CB) - 7/10 - Mopped up at the back on a number of occasions, snuffing out any Northern Irish half chance.
Jess Carter (LB) - 6/10 - Combined well with Hemp in the first half, with England's greatest threat coming down the left. Quieter in the second half, before being replaced just after the hour mark.
6. Midfielders
Keira Walsh (CM) - 6/10 - Calm and tidy in possession, largely doing the simple stuff very well as per usual, without ever really having the opportunity to show off her passing range.
Georgia Stanway (CM) - 8/10 - Produced a bursting run from midfield and cracking delivery from which White should have done better. Those runs became more frequent in the second half, and she added England's fourth and fifth goals with a pair of confident finishes.
Ella Toone (CM) - 9/10 - Involved in three of England's goals, combining with Hemp to set up the Lionesses' opener, calmly slotting home England's second and displaying terrific feet and an unselfish pick out for her side's fourth.
7. Forwards
Beth Mead (RW) - 6/10 - Should have opened the scoring from point blank range in the first half, but saw her effort blocked on the line. One of her quieter performances against a resolute Northern Ireland backline.
Ellen White (ST) - 5/10 - Should have opened the scoring in the first five minutes, but glanced her header narrowly wide. Saw another couple of half chances blocked and drift wide, before being replaced after 65 minutes.
Lauren Hemp (LW) - 9/10 - Teed Mead up with a clever cut back early in the first half. Started and finished the move for England's opening goal with a trademark turn of pace and looping finish. Switched to the right in the second half, showed great composure to round Burns and slot home.
8. Substitutes
Beth England - 6/10
Rachel Daly - 7/10
Nikita Parris - 6/10
Jordan Nobbs - N/A