Montenegro

2.96

• 
  27

  3

  3.00

  Mladen Božović

  Looked nervous early on, almost letting a Walcott strike past him. Couldn’t have done much about either goal, but grew in confidence, shown by his theatrical punch from an England corner.

• 
  21

  2

  3.00

  Elsad Zverotić

  Lack of awareness at the far post allowed Young to sneak in behind him and bury a header from a tight angle for the first goal, but somewhat redeemed himself with a good finish just before halftime as he chested down and found the bottom corner. Looked much more comfortable in midfield than he did at the back.

• 
  15

  2

  2.50

  Vladimir Božović

  Should have got closer to Walcott when the Arsenal man delivered his marvellous ball for Young’s opener. Didn’t deal with Walcott particularly well throughout the first 45, but was better after the break.

• 
  20

  4

  3.00

  Miodrag Djudovic

  Will be disappointed he couldn’t get close enough to Bent for England’s second, but apart from that, he didn’t do too much wrong, dealing well with Rooney on several occasions, one of which drew a red card for the striker.

• 
  47

  4

  3.00

  Stefan Savic

  The Manchester City man did little of note, not getting drawn into any mistakes and wasn’t given much of a chance to show why the Premier League giants shelled out the money on him. Produced very good cross to Delibasic for the equaliser.

• 
  13

  3

  2.50

  Mladen Kascelan

  Had a fairly anonymous first-half, barely touching the ball and was replaced at the break for Spartak Nalchik centre-half Milan Jovanovic.

• 
  25

  1

  3.00

  Simon Vukcevic

  Appeared in the mood early on as his trickery left Phil Jones flailing around on his backside, and despite really building on that momentum, he always looked a threat.

• 
  17

  2

  3.00

  Milorad Pekovic

  Gave Parker and Barry a battle in the midfield, often putting his foot in and challenging the two English centres, but offered little in possession or going forward.

• 
  35

  3

  3.00

  Stevan Jovetic

  The Fiorentina man was given a tough test by Phil Jones throughout and he tried to create down the left, but as the match went on drifted inside as frustration clearly grew due to losing his battle with the former Blackburn man. Unlucky not to get a penalty following a fairly rash tackle from Jones. Booked later on for a perceived dive in the penalty area.

• 
  44

  5

  3.00

  Mirko Vučinić

  Always looked to get on the ball and was the creator in chief for the home side, giving Jones and Cahill a big problem early on, but failed to get in and around the penalty area enough.

• 
  65

  1

  3.50

  Fatos Beciraj

  Supplied cross from the right for Zverotic’s goal just before halftime and gave Cole something to think about on many occasions, particularly early on in the second 45 as he got away from the left-back in order to shoot and then did well to cross, plus a few other dangerous runs.

Substitutions

• 
  19

  4

  3.00

  Milan Jovanović

  Came on at halftime in an attempt to solidify their backline, but picked up the yellow card he was desperately hoping to avoid, meaning he’ll miss the next qualifier against the Swiss.

• 
  13

  4

  2.50

  Dejan Damjanović

  Replaced Beciraj on the hour-mark, but the striker’s only real effort was a bicycle kick that went over, but he was offside anyway.

• 
  29

  1

  3.50

  Andrija Delibasic

  Came on to add even more numbers to the attack, but had a quiet cameo, until in the 91st minute when the Rayo Vallecano man steamed in at the far post to head home and grab the equaliser.

England

2.92

• 
  58

  22

  3.50

  Joe Hart

  Almost kept out the Montenegro goal, but aside from that, was given little to do after he saved from Beciraj minutes after the break. Pulled off a great save in the final minutes.

• 
  74

  41

  3.00

  Phil Jones

  Positive, as always, as he almost troubled Bozovic in the hosts’ goal with a cross early on. Given a tough time early on by the tricky duo of Vukcevic and Vucinic, but the failed to get at the debutant enough. Very fortunate not to give away a penalty for a challenge on Jovetic, but noting was given

• 
  30

  37

  3.00

  Ashley Cole

  Had a fairly comfortable first half, but should have closed down the crosser for Zverotic’s goal. Given a much sterner test in the second half as Beciraj looked to attack the Chelsea full-back, getting a fair amount of joy from the man winning his 92nd cap for England.

• 
  27

  22

  3.00

  Gary Cahill

  Tried to help Jones out with Vukcevic and Vucinic early on, but also struggled. Similarly to his central defensive partner, John Terry, the Bolton man didn’t get close enough to Beciraj for the Montenegrin goal just prior to the break.

• 
  29

  44

  3.00

  John Terry

  Not troubled very often at all in the first half, until his failure – along with Cahill – to close down Beciraj quickly enough and the Dinamo Zagreb man punished them. Was an effective last-line of defence in the second half as England found themselves on the back-foot.

• 
  25

  42

  2.50

  Scott Parker

  As usual, offered bite and steel in the centre of the field. Also kept the game ticking over for England in the first half, but did little else and had little presence in the attacking third. Struggled after halftime when the hosts took control of the match.

• 
  19

  45

  2.50

  Gareth Barry

  Similar to Parker, helped England retain control before the break, but afterwards, he was effectively bypassed as the midfield duo failed to leave much of a stamp on the second half.

• 
  132

  50

  3.50

  Ashley Young Top of the Match

  Looked lively from the beginning with some silky touches in the opening minutes before doing well to attacker Walcott’s cross undetected, allowing him to give England the lead. Also added an assist as he showed good awareness to find Bent in the six-yard box.

• 
  66

  19

  3.00

  Theo Walcott

  Brilliant cross for Young’s header as the pacy winger’s delivery evaded everyone but the Manchester United attacker. Played a few more typical ‘Walcott-crosses’ as he spooned the ball high into the air, but was always a good outlet on the right-wing.

• 
  43

  21

  3.00

  Darren Bent

  Grabbed himself a goal with one of the easiest finishes he is ever likely to be offered as Ashley Young did well to get into the area before sliding the ball across for Bent to tap in to an open-goal. Started the second half in anonymous fashion and was sacrificed for Lampard.

• 
  110

  178

  2.00

  Wayne Rooney Flop of the Match

  Always looked to pull the strings for England, dropping deep more often than not. Passing was sloppy at times, but continuously looked a threat when in possession. A remarkable moment of stupidity saw the Manchester United talisman sent off for kicking out at Dzudovic and looks set to miss some of next year’s finals.

Substitutions

• 
  78

  25

  3.00

  Frank Lampard

  Came into play just after the hour as he replaced Bent to add some more composure in the midfield

• 
  42

  42

  3.00

  Stewart Downing

  On for Young in the second half, but was disappointing, flattering to deceive on most occasions.

• 
  61

  29

  0.00

  Danny Welbeck

  Came on for Walcott with 15 minutes to go. Looked lively, but not given enough time to really make a telling difference.