England players rated and ranked following fantastic start to qualifying

While marred by the racist abuse directed towards some of their players in Pognorica on Monday night, as far as England’s start to their European Championship qualifying campaign was concerned they could hardly have done so any stronger.

With ten goals in two matches and two eye-catching full international debuts to enjoy, Southgate will have been delighted with his sides efforts in victories over Czech Republic and Montenegro.

We assess the performances of those on display for the Three Lions over a hugely successful international break, discounting the ratings accrued by players substituted off before the half hour mark or on after an hour for a fairer reflection.

14) Dele Alli - 6.73

For all of England's fantastic attacking football at times, the onus on width certainly overshadowed and perhaps restricted Alli's impact, though the likes of Henderson and Barkley were both able to make a greater impression. Unlike said duo, the Tottenham star started both matches but his patchy form for the national team could yet see a regular berth in the side come under threat.

13) Jordan Pickford - 6.76

Had little to do over the two matches, producing just two saves and not at fault for the goal he conceded, a quiet international break was probably what Pickford needed after a tough spell at club level.

12) Jordan Henderson - 6.93

Somewhat surprisingly left out of the lineup against Montenegro, having to make do with a substitute appearance to earn his 50th England cap, Henderson displayed his importance to Southgate against Czech Republic to cover a number of midfield roles. His work rate is second to none in the side and the Liverpool skipper continued to do the simple things well to allow those ahead of him to flourish.

11) Kyle Walker - 6.98

Supported attacks extremely well as ever but his decision making continues to be suspect at times and Montenegro got some joy down his side in particular. Will come under pressure from a fully fit Trent Alexander-Arnold as a result.

10) Danny Rose - 7.06

Came in for Chilwell to start against Montenegro and put in a solid performance, but not enough to displace the Leicester youngster as Southgate's first choice for the time being. As with Walker, he made some rash decisions at times but produced four tackles to ensure that Montenegro posed little to no threat down his flank by comparison.

9) Harry Maguire - 7.64

Two commanding displays at the back ensured that Maguire did his chances of keeping a spot in the side once the likes of John Stones and Joe Gomez return no harm. The Leicester defender won all nine of his defensive aerial duels over the two games, made four tackles and completed 92.8 per cent of his passes.

=7) Ben Chilwell - 7.70

Got the nod at left-back against the team billed as the tougher opponent and only strengthened his case as England's first choice as things stand. The 22-year old made three interceptions to keep Southgate's side on the front foot against Czech Republic and was always looking to offer and over or underlap for his winger.

=7) Michael Keane - 7.70

Some questioned Keane's merits to be in th squad let alone starting XI but the Everton defender repaid Southgate's faith, not least with a crucial equaliser at a crucial time in Montenegro. The 26-year old was unfortunate with a ricochet for the opening goal in Pognorica rather than at fault and in general looked assured across the two matches, playing out from the back well.

6) Declan Rice - 7.81

Handed his England debut from the bench at Wembley, Rice was awarded a first start in Montenegro and certainly didn't disappoint. Understandably made a couple of errors of judgement but generally atoned for them himself moments later, producing seven tackles against Montenegro and completing 68 of 71 passes. You couldn't ask for much more from your holding midfielder.

5) Jadon Sancho - 7.85

Sancho's first England start was certainly a successful one, though it did take some time for the teenager to find his feet. He conceded possession too often early on against Czech Republic but the assist for Raheem Sterling's opener clearly settled any forgivable nerves and his confidence shone thereafter, creating a further three chances.

4) Harry Kane - 7.97

With goals in both games it was job done as far as the England captain was concerned, though perhaps the best moment from any player over the two legs was the first time through ball to pick out Sancho's run for the opening goal against Czech Republic. That vision and technique is what sets Kane apart as not only an outstanding finisher but unselfish focal point to this increasingly frightening attack.

3) Ross Barkley - 8.33

When he missed out on the starting XI against Czech Republic Barkley might have felt this wouldn't be his week but it turned out to be his best in an England shirt. Having replaced the injured Eric Dier early on the Chelsea man added more thrust after a slightly laboured start and he deservedly earned a spot in the XI against Montenegro.

Having set up Sterling's hat-trick goal at Wembley the midfielder produced a fantastic delivery for England's equaliser on Monday before two smart finishes saw the 25-year old end the week with two goals and two assists.

2) Callum Hudson-Odoi - 9.02

As far as full senior debuts are concerned, they don't come much better than that of Hudson-Odoi, who became the second youngest player ever to start a competitive international for England behind Wayne Rooney. The Chelsea winger exuded confidence from the outset and his threat was clearly noticed by his more senior teammates, who looked to get the teenager on the ball as much as possible.

Having been guilty of not competing for a header in the build up to Montenegro's goal, the 18-year old put that right and then some, setting up clubmate Barkley's first goal from one of three key passes as well as completing five dribbles and three tackles.

1) Raheem Sterling - 9.59

An unjustified scapegoat for the national team's failings in the past despite his tender years at the time, Sterling is fast becoming the jewel in this England side and beginning to replicate his sensational club form under Gareth Southgate. The 24-year old frightens defenders into errors and fouls and has found that crucial end product for his country, following a hat-trick against Czech Republic with a silencer in Montenegro.

With a well weighted assist for Harry Kane's goal against the latter, a pivotal role in Barkley's second and winning the penalty against the Czech's, Sterling earned back-to-back man of the match awards from WhoScored.com to answer any ludicrously lingering critics.