TheFA.com takes a look at every player who played last night
TheFA.com looks back on last night's football action which saw England beat South Africa 2-1 in Durban. In all 18 England players took part in the game and here we look at how they all performed...
1. David James
In his fourth consecutive start for his country, David James played the first half only and in those 45 minutes had very little to do. Seemed composed throughout and was only really called into action for the penalty after eighteen minutes.
He went the right way for the spot kick - low to his right - and almost got a hand to it but ultimately was powerless to stop it. All in all, not a bad performance.
2. Danny Mills
Didn't quite make the rampaging runs down the right hand side which have lit up previous England appearances but he was solid and dependable.
In what was his only shaky moment his outstreched arm connected with Delron Buckley's cross to give South Africa the penalty from which they equalised.
3. Phil Neville
Mostly uneventful comeback in the left-back role for the 26 year-old Manchester United utility man. Neville was handed a real test by the lively Fredericks and will in all liklehood remain behind both Ashley Cole and Wayne Bridge for the coveted left-back position.
Late on played a little further upfield perfectly showing his rare ability to play in a number of positions on the pitch.
4. Steven Gerrard
Remarkably, England have still to lose when Steven Gerrard has played for them. Since making his debut against Ukraine in May 2000, the Three Lions are unbeaten in the sixteen games in which the Liverpool ace has featured.
Part of the reason for that is the controlled and accurate passing which Steven brings to England's midfield. Whether passing over three or thirty yards, Gerrard invariably finds his target and that was in evidence again last night.
Came off for Gareth Barry with eight minutes to go.
5. Rio Ferdinand
Rio looked comfortable for most of the first half before he was brought off for Birmingham City's Matthew Upson at the interval. Did ocassionally look a little flustered by the pace of the South African forwards when they started running at him - both Benny McCarthy and Charlton's Shaun Bartlett giving him some nervous moments.
6. Gareth Southgate
After a troublesome week, Southgate performed well with partner Rio Ferdinand in England's central defence. The form he has showed all year for Middlesbrough was replicated here as he kept out the South African forwards.
Not only at the back did the big man play well but after just 36 seconds he scored with a flicked header off David Beckham's right wing cross.
7. David Beckham
The England captain delivered the perfect cross for Gareth Southgate's headed goal on just 36 seconds and generally performed well on England's right flank, though he didn't come infield as much as he sometimes does.
However Beckham's game will be remembered for being substituted after 51 minutes with an injury sustained when tackled from behind by Molefe. An X-ray discovered that Beckham has a fracture of his scaphoid - a small cashew nut-shaped bone connecting the wrist to the thumb.
8. Paul Scholes
Paul Scholes last scored for England away to Greece in a World Cup qualifier in June 2001 - that was his thirteenth strike for the Three Lions. However since then, Scholes has failed to replicate his prolific scoring for Manchester United for his country.
Despite his lack of goals, though, Scholes still plays a key role in the centre of England's midfield and against South Africa showed his usual clever link play with Owen, Heskey and Darius Vassell.
9. Emile Heskey
In a display of typical endeavour, Heskey showed strength in the air and good skill on the ground as he put in a good performance.
Could hardly miss when Baloyi in the South African goal fumbled Frank Lampard's shot. He tucked the ball home from just eight yards out for his fifth international goal on this his 33rd appearance.
The Liverpool man was brought off by Sven almost immediately afterwards.
10. Michael Owen
This was Michael's 48th cap for England which means that he is on course to become the quickest player ever to reach 50 caps - and by some distance.
The one golden opportunity fell for him after just eight minutes when Baloyi spilled a Beckham free kick. Owen had to take a touch to control the ball but then hit his effort high over the crossbar. In fairness though, the ball sat up rather high for him.
Linked well with Lampard when the Chelsea man came on - a neat one-two setting up Lampard's effort which was saved well.
11. Trevor Sinclair
Filled in again on England's left side and played well enough. However, he saw little of the ball as England constantly looked right for their attacking options, thereby limiting Trevor's impact on the game.
Came off two minutes short of the hour for Frank Lampard.
Substitutes
13. Paul Robinson (on for David James)
Even less to do than James. Virtually unemployed in quiet half.
14. Matthew Upson (on for Rio Ferdinand)
Solid enough debut, looked cool on his big night.
15. Jermaine Jenas (on for David Beckham)
Less impressive than he was in his first England appearance against Australia in February.
16. Frank Lampard (on for Trevor Sinclair)
Excellent. Had the shot which led to Heskey's goal, tested Brian Baloyi himself and generally stepped up the pace in midfield.
18. Darius Vassell (on for Emile Heskey)
Lively bursts and quick feet. Worked well with Michael Owen and provided an outlet for searching passes from midfield.
12. Gareth Barry (on for Steven Gerrard)
Solid on his return to the fold after two-and-a-half years in the international wilderness, but didn't really have neough time to impress.
17. Joe Cole (on for Paul Scholes)
Tried hard in the fifteen minutes he was on the pitch but had very little possession to work with.
by James Wright
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