England 0-1 Germany: How the home players rated

England suffered their second friendly defeat at Wembley in five days as Per Mertesacker gave Germany a 1-0 victory.

Andros Townsend hit the post for England but Roy Hodgson's side did not manage a shot on target against a below-strength Germany side.

Here, BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty assesses the individual performances of the England players.

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Joe Hart (goalkeeper) - 8

England's outstanding performer. Excellent display that will give England manager Roy Hodgson and the goalkeeper himself great confidence after a poor run of form.

Kyle Walker (right-back) - 6

Had a tough time on occasions as Germany broke on England. Still behind Liverpool's Glen Johnson in the battle for the right-back spot.

Chris Smalling (centre-back) - 5

Beaten in the air by Per Mertesacker for the goal and involved in a moment of confusion with Joe Hart in the second half that fortunately went unpunished.

Phil Jagielka (centre-back) - 6

Occasionally struggled as Germany showed their quality in attack - but still on course to be first-choice central defender alongside Gary Cahill in Brazil.

Ashley Cole (left-back) - 6

Steady night but still facing a real battle with Everton's Leighton Baines for his place in Brazil.

Andros Townsend (right midfield) - 6

Lively in spells and came closest to an equaliser with a second-half shot that hit the post.

Steven Gerrard (centre midfield) - 6

Sprayed some nice passes around in the first half and saw a long-range shot dip just over before being substituted early in the second half in his 108th international.

Tom Cleverley (centre midfield) - 5

Once again a peripheral figure and substituted. Not making a serious case to be a regular in England's squad.

Adam Lallana (left midfield) - 5

Tougher night after an impressive debut against Chile. Still must be regarded as very much an outsider for Roy Hodgson's World Cup squad.

Wayne Rooney (striker) - 6

Quiet night for Rooney but no real service. Taken out of the action early. Will have better games than this.

Daniel Sturridge (striker) - 5

Outstanding for Liverpool but yet to fully convince for England. At this level his over-elaboration often confuses himself rather than opposition defenders.

SUBSTITUTES

Kieran Gibbs (for Ashley Cole 53 mins) - 5

One or two forward runs after replacing Cole but not yet a serious threat to the man he came on for - or Everton's Leighton Baines.

Jordan Henderson (for Steven Gerrard 56 mins) - 5

Quiet and not able to make any serious impact on the game.

Jack Wilshere (for Tom Cleverley 64 mins) - 5

Like Henderson, given a spell in the second half to make his presence felt. He did not.

Ross Barkley (for Wayne Rooney 71 mins) - 5

Always willing to try something but Everton's teenager, understandably, occasionally looks to be trying too hard to impress.

Rickie Lambert (for Adam Lallana 76 mins) - 5

Late substitute when England were chasing the game. Did not get a chance to seriously influence the game but that was not his fault.