England man for man

DAVID JAMES 6/10

Little to do in the first half but when called upon, as he twice was, made very good saves from Miroslav Karhan and Robert Vittek. Gave way to Ben Foster at half-time, who had even less to do.

GLEN JOHNSON 7/10

Portsmouth's best player this year defended well and made several dangerous right-wing runs, once drawing a foul on the edge of the penalty area. Worked the right flank well with Aaron Lennon.

MATTHEW UPSON 6/10

In for the injured Rio Ferdinand and performed tidily enough, though one bad error let in the Slovaks, James' save rescued him.

JOHN TERRY 6/10

Gave Slovakia captain Robert Vittek little scope for mischief near the England goal in a quietly dominant game. Needlessly touched in Peter Crouch's goal-bound header drawing an offside flag.

ASHLEY COLE 6/10

The much-loved full-back had an uneventful match and probably welcomed it.

AARON LENNON 7/10

Given his chance to claim the right-wing berth, the Spurs flyer tormented Marek Cech, a West Bromwich player who plays in midfield for his club, and is clearly not a full-back. Must improve his final ball.

FRANK LAMPARD 7/10

Used in a slightly deeper role in the first half, but one shot from a Lennon pass tested the Slovak keeper. In the second period, when Steven Gerrard went off, he pushed forward, which left England's back four exposed for a while, but moved on to Michael Carrick's pass to score England's third, then set up Rooney's second.

GARETH BARRY 6/10

A steady performance from the Villa man, perhaps saving himself for the real battle, on Wednesday night.

STEVEN GERRARD 7/10

Starting on the left, England's in-form midfielder wandered both inside and wide, an energetic and effective performance. Deep understanding with Wayne Rooney evident.

EMILE HESKEY 6/10

Was only on for 14 minutes but looked a handful, scoring in the seventh minute, his first goal for England since 2003, after fine build-up between Rooney and Gerrard, but minutes later headed over from the former's cross.

WAYNE ROONEY 8/10

The "crazy man" was instructed by Fabio Capello to keep a lid on his temper and did so, to devastating effect. Repeatedly drifting to the left, he produced a series of crosses and chances and linked very well, and dangerously, with the advanced Gerrard. Roamed even freer in the second half in a man-of-the-match performance. Absolutely deserved his two goals, made space for the headed first and showed quick feet for the second.

SUBSTITUTES

Carlton Cole on early for the injured goalscorer Heskey and off early, too, for a groin strain to be replaced by Peter Crouch, who was kicked by Martin Skrtel and replaced after 73 minutes by Michael Carrick, who managed to last until the end and set up England's third goal. At half time David Beckham replaced Lennon to win his record 109th cap and proved his effectiveness as a substitute when he put a cross on Rooney's head for the second England goal. Also at the break, Manchester United's Ben Foster replaced James, and Stewart Downing came on for Gerrard but, as usual for England, disappointed.