Joe Cole heaps praise on Declan Rice and claims England man stood out by a mile

Joe Cole has branded Declan Rice 'the best player on the pitch' during England's win over Italy on Thursday.

Gareth Southgate's side won 2-1 in Naples thanks to goals from Rice and Harry Kane, who became England's all-time leading goal scorer with his strike.

Rice did well to poke home the opening in the first half after good play from England at a corner.

He played 90 minutes which included some deep defending from the Three Lions late on after Luke Shaw was sent off.

Cole, speaking on Channel 4 after the game, led the praise for Rice.

'Declan Rice was the best player on the pitch by a mile,' he said. 'Terrible defending for the goal, but he’s alive to it.

'If it’s a centre-forward we’re talking about instinct. He was outstanding from start to finish.'

The goal saw Rice poke in from inside the box after good play from Kane after a Bukayo Saka corner.

Kane's goal came from the spot after Giovanni Di Lorezno handballed a cross before Kane could bring it down.

Cole slammed the Italians' defending as England raced into a lead.

'I’m baffled,' he began. 'This is a country known for their defending.

'England have seen something and they leave Harry Kane, the most dangerous player on the pitch, Di Lorenzo loses him, that is unacceptable defending.

'All the other players switch off. Rice takes it like a cente-forward. He’s done well there.’

England were restricted to 10 men when Shaw was sent off for two quick yellow cards with 10 minutes to go.

They held out, however, with Rice at the centre of his side's efforts in midfield.

'It's a significant win,' Cole said after the full-time whistle.

'When you win like that it means more. There's nothing better than this feeling.'