[red_devils4life]

France

Coupet: 6.0 - Rarely troubled. Dealt with crosses quite well when needed.

Clerc: 7.0 - Was never out of position and distributed well. Played a magnificent through ball for Anelka’s penalty run.

Abidal: 6.5 - Defensively solid against a paltry attack, got forward in support throughout the match.

Gallas: 6.5 - Did not have much to content with all night. Rooney posed no problems in the first half while he Crouch was uncomfortable under aerial pressure.

Thuram: 6.0 - Used all his experience to provide an adequate shield for his defensive colleagues. Was never under any immediate danger.

Toulalan: 8.0 - One of the home side's best performers. He was metronomic in central midfield and seems to be learning an infinite amount from Makelele. Looks to be an immense prospect for club and country.

Makelele: 7.0 - Used this occasion as an exercise in tutelage to Toulalan. Rarely missed a tackle and was always an outlet. Provided accurate pass after accurate pass.

Ribery: 8.0 - Ran much of France’s attacking play. Lively in possession and never shirked responsibility. Coolly taken penalty.

Malouda: 7.0 - Looks a different player for France than Chelsea. Seemed at ease in his surroundings and was always willing to provide an attacking option.

Anelka: 8.5 - Such a threat. Constantly harassing his opponents and looked to be the only genuine French goal threat throughout. Made clever runs, mazy dribbles and provided outlets all evening. Man of the Match.

Trezeguet: 5.0 - Struggled. Barely had a touch of the ball in a game he would regard as a missed chance to impress.

Substitutes

Govou: 6.5 - Struggled to make an impact in a limited amount of time.

Cisse: 7.0 - Looked eager to make an impression and caused fleeting problems for England on the break.

England

James: 6.0 - Slow off the mark on a couple of occasions, including his up-ending of Anelka for the penalty. As usual, a reliable shot stopper.

Brown: 6.5 - Looked a little jittery at times but was generally solid in a position that he does not favour.

A Cole: 6.0 - Would like to have contributed more in attack, struggled to contain Ribery.

Ferdinand: 6.5 - Made no mistakes in his debut as captain. A solid individual performance, but not a game he will remember the way he would have wanted to.

Terry: 5.5 - Blind-sided by Clerc’s clever pass - which also exposed his lack of pace - but otherwise had a decent game.

Hargreaves: 6.0 - Did not provide the kind of shield that Capello requires. In possession however, he was consistent.

Barry: 6.5 - Lots of energy and enthusiasm from the Aston Villa captain. Used the ball well.

Beckham: 5.0 - Looked unfit as he struggled to adjust to the pace of the game. Reluctant to play simple passes.

J Cole: 6.0 - A quiet game from a fantastic player. Showed only glimpses of his vision and passing.

Gerrard: 5.0 - Anonymous. Made no meaningful contribution apart from two mistimed first half headers.

Rooney: 6.0 - Struggled because his team-mates failed to involve him adequately. Eager to win possession and distribute, unfortunately for England, this was more often than not in the wrong areas.

Substitutes

Crouch: 6.5 - Made the ball stick when play involved him and was willing to shoot from distance.

Owen: 4.5 - Hard to recall a significant contribution.

Lescott: 6.0 - Coped well alongside Ferdinand, did not have an opportunity to make a mistake or a telling contribution.

Downing: 6.5 - A good option for Capello to have. Provided natural width on the left; crossing was occasionally wayward.

Bentley: 6.5 - Showed some nice touches and vision but did not have a chance to influence the game.