Ferdinand turned in a supreme performance
ENGLAND V NIGERIA PLAYER RATINGS
By Chris Roberts, PA Sport
ENGLAND
DAVID SEAMAN: Needed to be at his best to keep Nigeria at bay, but gave his
side a fright by spilling a shot from Jay Jay Okocha in the first half. 7.
DANNY MILLS: Made some telling defensive headers and tackles when his side
were under pressure and gave England a good attacking dimension with his runs
down the right. 8.
ASHLEY COLE: Not much success going forward with his overlapping runs in the
first half, but that changed as the game wore on. Still exposed at the back. 7.
TREVOR SINCLAIR: The West Ham winger was too slow when he got the chance to
cross, but never hid from the ball and got more success on the left after the
break. 7.
RIO FERDINAND: Another commanding and faultless display from the Leeds United
man, who was as comfortable tackling and intercepting as he was with his
distribution. 10.
SOL CAMPBELL: Made too many mistakes in dangerous places which could have cost
his side, but always going to be in the shadow of Ferdinand today. 7.
DAVID BECKHAM: The Manchester United midfielder struggled to get into the game
and when he did have the ball he was mostly ineffective. 6.
PAUL SCHOLES: Unlucky to see his superb first-half shot pushed onto the post.
Battled hard to close Nigerians down, but struggled to unlock the defence. 7.
MICHAEL OWEN: Got rare sight of goal which is credit to the Nigerian defence.
But he never gave up the fight and was forced to come deep to get involved. 6.
EMILE HESKEY: Lots of hard work, but like Owen was largely left frustrated and
disappointed by the Nigerian defence before being substituted. 6.
NICKY BUTT: Another industrious performance in the centre of midfield, who was
always looking to create something along with Scholes. 8.
SUBS:
TEDDY SHERINGHAM (ON FOR EMILE HESKEY 68 MINUTES): Had glorious chance to
score minutes after coming and showed plenty of endeavour. 6.
DARIUS VASSELL (ON FOR MICHAEL OWEN 77 MINUTES): Nigeria did not seem to know
how to pick him up with his runs from deep. 6.
WAYNE BRIDGE (ON FOR ASHLEY COLE 85 MINUTES): Came on to save Cole a booking
but too late make an impact.
NIGERIA
22 VINCENT ENYEAMA: The youngster did not have the confidence to come for
crosses and when he did was vulnerable, but he pushed Paul Scholes effort onto
the post with a superb save. 6.
2 JOSEPH YOBO: Never let Michael Owen out of his sights to keep England's
chances down to a minimum. 8.
5 ISAAC OKORONKWO: Commanding at the back for his side and made some telling
tackles and interceptions to frustrate Owen and Heskey. 8.
10 JAY JAY OKOCHA: The Nigerian playmaker was constantly trying carve out
chances for his team-mates from open play and set-pieces. 8.
14 IFEANYI UDEZE: Caused England plenty of problems with his overlapping runs
down the left flank. 7.
15 JUSTICE CHRISTOPHER: Typically industrious display from the midfielder who
allowed Okocha to play his usual creative game. 6.
16 EFE SODJE: The Crewe man defended well and gave the frontmen plenty of
support in attack down the right side. 7.
17 JULIUS AGHAHOWA: The man with the amazing celebration was again Nigeria's
best hope of a goal and a constant menace for England. 7.
18 BENEDICT AKWUEGBU: Gave the opposition defence problems with his running
and strong presence, but also frustrated. 6.
20 JAMES OBIORAH: Some clever touches and runs from the Nigerian, who gave
England problems from deep. 7.
23 FEMI OPABUNMI: Another player who looked a real threat with his bursts
forward, but often the youngster was reluctant to get back in defence. 7.
SUBS:<
PIUS IKEDIA (ON FOR FEMI OPABUNMI 86 MINUTES): On too late to make an impact.
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