Well, England went out there and blew France away. The new boss has taken some of the plaudits and the coaching staff can rightly be very happy with the result of their work but the real heroines of the 90 minutes and an emphatic victory over our old foes are the players who were out there on the field.
And we asked YOU to tell us which player was your She Kicks #Lionesses Player of the Match. It can’t have been easy to select just one player from such a dynamic attacking performance and a solid display throughout the team but you managed and the votes are in. In reverse order the top five are:
Toni Duggan 7%
Lucy Bronze 8%
Nikita Parris 10%
Jill Scott 16%
And your top rated player, and our 2018 #SHEBELIEVES Cup: ENG v FRA – #Lionesses Player of the Match is:
FRAN KIRBY who received 38% of the votes. Bravo!
Fran was a source of positive energy throughout (she could have scored within just a minute of the kick off with a very cute, solo effort), playing in a slightly deeper midfield role but remained strong defensively and a driving force going forward, whether running with the ball, picking out the forward pass or being neat in possession.
Thanks to our sponsors Soccer Mindset Academy.
You can read our post-match interview with Fran HERE.
And here is what some of you who voted had to say about your top-rated performers:
Fran Kirby
Mckenzie Darrington: She controlled the game in the middle as well as getting a goal and an assist.
Emma Martin: Direct and positive running, high energy and quick feet, always looking to make things happen – unplayable for French defence – and scored to top it off.
Clive Bunting: At the heart of all the good moves in the first half
Debbie Hughes: Never stopped running. Great finish early in the second half. Selfless setting up Duggan for the first. Just overall impressive performance with and without the ball that sometimes goes unnoticed
Laura Garraway: Made some great passes and completely deserved her goal. A very unselfish player as she is always looking to set up another player.
Paul McGreal: Looked a constant threat on the ball against a shaky backline – deserved her goal as well.
Jordan Hampton: Fran was excellent offensively and defensively, brilliant going forward and won the ball back in some great areas, mostly in the final third and took her goal very well.
Michelle France: Fran Kirby was all over the pitch tonight linking the play brilliantly and took her goal very well.
Jill Scott
Alan Jopling: Constantly involved and demanding service whilst causing problems in the opposition area
Anna Crane: Solid, controlled and effective throughout the game. Dictated the pace and had a hand in most positivie things England did. Bagged herself a cheeky left footed goal too
Michael Scoates: Jill took a hit early on but battled on for the full 90 minutes. She epitomised for me everything it takes to be a Lioness.
Karen Boak: Great to see Jill in a more attacking role, and scoring with her left boot ?
Alison Greenwood: Solid, consistent, playmaking performance from Jill. Makes the difference between a good team and a brilliant one almost every game.
Nikita Parris
Anon: Energetic. Ran at French defence to create opportunities for others. Good going forward. Link to midfield.
Tony Roome: Never stopped running – and so was usually in space. Harassed any and every French player she could get to. Probably her most mature performance in England shirt.
Rebecca Dickinson: Had a hand in most of the goals. Worked tirelessly to cover the right defensively and well as attacking
Anon: Didn’t put a foot wrong
Lucy Bronze
Becky Lenton: Great captain’s performance, played good forward balls and kept Le Sommer quiet
Toni Duggan
Lauren Richardson: Toni’s goal was a fabulous strike and helped to quickly settle England into their rhythm despite the awful weather conditions.
Lucy: Classy, clinical and competitive. Duggan showed great strength and speed getting forwards and kicked off a goal-scoring match for the Lionesses in excellent form.
Rich Paish: Exciting performance full of class capped off by a beautiful goal
And some other top comments for other top performers:
Jodie Taylor
Louise Matthews: Super first touch never going to miss when one v one with the keeper. Great hold up & passing of the ball always in scoring positions & great movement.
Jenny Gartland: Committed, passionate, standard Jodie Taylor. Cannot be faulted.
Abbie McManus
Jodie Brewster: On her debut looked so calm and composed, always making herself available and driving forwards at times. Never looked vulnerable and always comfortable on the ball.
Becca Conway: What a debut!
Keira Walsh
Elena Papas: She’s such a clever player, always keeps the ball, makes brilliant plays. Very calm and collected from the future captain!
Millie Bright
Nick Pope: A lynchpin of the defence, assured performance well-timed tackles and gave the same dominance as Steph Houghton would have done
Thanks to all that took part and don’t forget to vote after the match on Sunday!