This article is part of Football FanCast’s In Numbers series, which takes a statistical look at performances, season-long form and reported transfer targets…
What a victory it was for England against Montenegro on Thursday.
On a day of celebration for the Three Lions – it was their 1000th game – Gareth Southgate’s side were in irresistible form. They beat the Balkan nation 7-0, with Harry Kane scoring a hat-trick in the process.
Also on the scoresheet was Liverpool’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. It was the first time since June 2017 that he had bagged for his country, and it come on his first start in 19 months at international level. It is fair to say that he took advantage of the opportunity his boss gave him at Wembley.
Watch Liverpool Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below
The goal will be the main talking point, of course, but there was plenty more to savour about this performance.
Impressively, he scored with his only shot of the match, but he contributed more from a creative point of view. Only Ben Chilwell – the Man of the Match – made more chances for his teammates than the former Arsenal man’s three. On top of that, he completed two of the three dribbles he attempted, whilst he landed an impressive 88% of his attempted passes.
Defensively, he made his mark as well, winning two tackles and completing two interceptions. Considering this was his first start in such a while at this level, it was an outstanding display from the 26-year-old.
Those watching on will have been happy to see the former Southampton man do so well, but it would have been interesting to get Jordan Henderson’s thoughts. The 29-year-old was suspended for this match, with Oxlade-Chamberlain effectively taking his place in centre-midfield.
His strike was his fifth goal of the season, whilst he also won Liverpool’s Player of the Month award for October. Henderson, meanwhile, continues to be criticised by part of the Anfield faithful and has picked up a Premier League WhoScored rating of just 6.85 this campaign.
The captaincy does work in his favour, but this run of form will surely have the midfielder – who was signed by the Reds for £20m in 2011 – scared of losing his place not just at club level, but internationally as well. Now back to full fitness, Oxlade-Chamberlain is beginning to hit his stride and should be worrying his club captain.
