David Forde 8 The highest compliment you can pay Forde is that no one even remarks on Shay Given’s retirement any more. If the former Newcastle number-one will always remain a fundamentally better goalkeeper, there ate elements of Forde’s game that our superior — not least his handling of crosses. He also handled England’s shots rather well here, not least the late one-on-one from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The one quibble is with his kicking but it says an awful lot that is the only complaint.
Seamus Coleman 9 The type of performance many had been purring about and putting forward. Like a few members of this XI, games like this make it all the more remarkable Trapattoni didn’t put them in sooner. If he was a little slack for Daniel Sturridge’s assist, he more than made up with the rest of his blocks and positional play, as well as that sweeping cross for the Shane Long goal.
John O’Shea 7 If he’s never going to be as iron-cast or assured as Richard Dunne, his composure does help calm a backline that remains a little patched together.
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Sean St Ledger 6 A little off the pace and could have done better for the equaliser but generally solid.
Stephen Kelly 6 Not his finest performance as Theo Walcott and the England attack realised to start targeting him towards the end of the second half, but gradually recovered.
Jon Walters 7 Balanced the innovation of McGeady and with some typical industry.
Glenn Whelan 6 Not his finest performance but offered a fair important challenges.
James McCarthy 7 His importance and influence is increasing every game, as he seems to set the tone more and more for Ireland. About halfway through the opening period, he played a divine cross-field ball that would have been unthinkable for this team a few years ago. For a player often criticised for his shyness, he also let Frank Lamaprd know he was there with a forceful 25th-minute tackle.
Aiden McGeady 6 One of the more exciting players in the pitch in the first half with the manner he cut inside to create problems for England. If that was refreshing, though, he was also guilty of the same old problem: poor final ball.
Robbie Keane 6 Up for the game but not as up to the level as he used to be. Keane conspicuously ran out of energy after some promising early bursts. Should really be no more than an impact sub and squad figurehead at this point.
Shane Long 8 There haven’t been many better Irish goals in recent years than that rousing, plundering header. Emphasised the fact that he is now this team’s finest striker by some distance.
Simon Cox 6, James McClean 6, Jeff Hendrick 6, Conor Sammon 6
Out of 10: How we rated the Boys in Green tonight
David Forde 8 The highest compliment you can pay Forde is that no one even remarks on Shay Given’s retirement any more. If the former Newcastle number-one will always remain a fundamentally better goalkeeper, there ate elements of Forde’s game that our superior — not least his handling of crosses. He also handled England’s shots rather well here, not least the late one-on-one from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The one quibble is with his kicking but it says an awful lot that is the only complaint.
Seamus Coleman 9 The type of performance many had been purring about and putting forward. Like a few members of this XI, games like this make it all the more remarkable Trapattoni didn’t put them in sooner. If he was a little slack for Daniel Sturridge’s assist, he more than made up with the rest of his blocks and positional play, as well as that sweeping cross for the Shane Long goal.
John O’Shea 7 If he’s never going to be as iron-cast or assured as Richard Dunne, his composure does help calm a backline that remains a little patched together.
Sean St Ledger 6 A little off the pace and could have done better for the equaliser but generally solid.
Stephen Kelly 6 Not his finest performance as Theo Walcott and the England attack realised to start targeting him towards the end of the second half, but gradually recovered.
Jon Walters 7 Balanced the innovation of McGeady and with some typical industry.
Glenn Whelan 6 Not his finest performance but offered a fair important challenges.
James McCarthy 7 His importance and influence is increasing every game, as he seems to set the tone more and more for Ireland. About halfway through the opening period, he played a divine cross-field ball that would have been unthinkable for this team a few years ago. For a player often criticised for his shyness, he also let Frank Lamaprd know he was there with a forceful 25th-minute tackle.
Aiden McGeady 6 One of the more exciting players in the pitch in the first half with the manner he cut inside to create problems for England. If that was refreshing, though, he was also guilty of the same old problem: poor final ball.
Robbie Keane 6 Up for the game but not as up to the level as he used to be. Keane conspicuously ran out of energy after some promising early bursts. Should really be no more than an impact sub and squad figurehead at this point.
Shane Long 8 There haven’t been many better Irish goals in recent years than that rousing, plundering header. Emphasised the fact that he is now this team’s finest striker by some distance.
Simon Cox 6, James McClean 6, Jeff Hendrick 6, Conor Sammon 6
Who stuck the ball in the English net? Shane Long did
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