Vardy the big plus as Dutch cool England's boots

England have a new man of the moment in Leicester City's rags-to-riches hero Jamie Vardy. After hitting his first international goal with a brilliantly instinctive back-heel in Saturday's 3-2 victory over Germany in Berlin, Vardy struck his first Wembley goal last night and produced an impressive all-round performance in the 2-1 defeat by an under-strength but impressively disciplined Netherlands side.

It was not just his goal. His hunger had two Dutch players scrambling to clear the ball in an early incident in their box which epitomised the forward's tireless harrying of opponents. In the second half he nearly had a second goal with a long-distance drive that warmed goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet's fingertips. "He is on fire," said his Leicester and England colleague Danny Drinkwater afterwards.

"I feel brilliant, personally," said the player himself, albeit while admitting to frustration with England's failure to deliver "the same tempo and same aggression" shown against Germany. With Wayne Rooney in the television studios and Daniel Sturridge subdued, Vardy latest livewire display has offered further evidence he could have a big role to play in the England attack.

He was not alone in staking his case, although for other players in Roy Hodgson's squad, it was a less satisfying evening.

Danny Drinkwater (L) in action for England©Getty Images

Drinkwater completes Foxes double
On a good night for the Premier League leaders, Vardy stood side by side during the national anthems with midfielder Drinkwater, making his debut. Not since the 1970s had two or more Leicester players started an England game together. There were raised eyebrows when the sponsors named him as man of the match but he gave a solid, disciplined showing as the holding midfielder at the base of Hodgson’s midfield diamond.

Lallana on song
Adam Lallana has looked a happier player at Liverpool since Jürgen Klopp's arrival and the evidence was there on the Wembley pitch. He helped create Vardy's goal with his composure and vision when, from the edge of the area, he picked out full-back Kyle Walker's burst beyond him down the inside-right channel. Another pass led to Vardy testing Zoet after the restart. Lallana was one of just three England players to start against both Germany and the Oranje, and his confidence was underlined when he killed a dropping ball with a wonderfully deft touch in second half.

Stones' wobble
Highly regarded young centre-back John Stones has had a difficult campaign with an underachieving Everton team. Such has been his loss of form that yesterday brought his first 90-minute appearance for two months – and it proved a mixed evening, with Stones slipping in the lead-up to the Netherlands' equalising goal. "I won't be selecting him or not selecting him on the fact he slipped over," said Hodgson, who also saw the other side of Stones, when one immaculate through ball presented Theo Walcott with a second-half chance. Stones's Everton team-mate Ross Barkley gave a hot-and-cold display too – and has arguably slipped behind Tottenham's Dele Alli in the pecking order.

Hodgson's verdict
For all the speculation, only one man will know the true benefits of England's final matches before their EURO squad is named. Manager Hodgson said: "I gave a lot of different players a chance and really 'aired' the squad. Hopefully it will be to my advantage in future, [and] when I have had time to reflect I will find lots of positives from this week and things I am glad to have seen."