England
Joe Hart 6
Dived to his right to keep out an effort from Murphy at full stretch. One or two anxious moments but generally looked in control in one of his least demanding international games
Phil Jones 6
Not a full-back and never will be. Tested by McGeady’s quick feet he stuck to his task manfully but playing a centre-half on the right will always reduce a team’s forward menace
Gary Cahill 7
Has developed into England’s leader and looked strong, composed and alert to danger on an afternoon when neither defence was ever particularly troubled
Chris Smalling 7
Showed the confidence to spray searching passes to the wings and has clearly improved under Louis van Gaal’s watchful eye but one lapse forced Hart to spare his blushes
Ryan Bertrand 6
Elegant on the ball and eager to join the play but little evidence of the attacking verve which saw him named in the Premier League team of the year. Left-back position is still up for grabs
Jordan Henderson 6
Neat and tidy but failed to burst beyond the front three, and he spread panic with one wayward pass across his own area. Slightly more involved after Wilshere was substituted
Jack Wilshere 8
Drove at the heart of the Ireland defence, breaking the lines and committing defenders. Passing was not always pinpoint but clearly England’s most accomplished performer
James Milner 5
Apparently joined Liverpool for the chance to play in central midfield but showed little to suggest he will inject the creativity and forward thrust desperately required at Anfield
Raheem Sterling 5
Jeered by the crowd, caught an Irish heel in the face and dived in search of a penalty. Kept demanding the ball but little came off and still seems stuck in his agent-induced malaise
Wayne Rooney 5
Popped up in defence to make one vital interception but looked rusty on the ball and fluffed one glorious chance with a terrible first touch. Hit the target from one tame free-kick
Adam Lallana 5
Very quiet until he broke in from the left and fizzed one drive over the bar just before half-time. Another similar attempt in the second period was as good as it got, though
Substitutes
Barkley (for Wilshere, 66); Townsend (for Sterling, 66); Jagielka (for Cahill, 74); Vardy (for Rooney, 75); Walcott (for Lallana, 82)
Referee
Arnold Hunter NI
