Paul Robinson

Robinson has cemented his place in the England team of late with some outstanding displays, but he was hardly called upon today as England went on the rampage up front.

Made his first save with 18 minutes remaining, comfortably taking the ball in to his stomach after a speculative effort.

Gary Neville

The Manchester United defender produced a solid display on home turf, coping comfortably on the few occasions Northern Ireland pushed forward.

Worked well with David Beckham down the right and, after a beautiful interchange involving Lampard and the two England galacticos, his whipped cross found Rooney, who headed onto the post.

John Terry

Terry was assured at the back throughout as expected given his fantastic domestic form.

He also looked dangerous when getting forward, with his early surging run leading to England’s first strike on goal from Joe Cole.

Headed wide from David Beckham’s corner and had little to do after the break, but did what was asked, nullifying any threat.

Rio Ferdinand

Assured on the ball as usual on his home ground but, like Terry, had little to do as England controlled the game up front.

Ashley Cole

Joe Cole’s natural tendency to drift into the action in the middle gave Ashley the freedom to push on to the Northern Ireland right-back, although he couldn’t find a way to the line in the first half as the English attack struggled to click.

In the second period, with the game opening up and England dominating, Ashley linked well with the superb Joe Cole to provide a constant threat down the left.

David Beckham

The Real Madrid galactico this week declared himself to be back to his best, and his delivery was certainly to the standard we’ve come to expect.

Picked out Chelsea duo John Terry and Frank Lampard from consecutive corners in the first half and forced Taylor to scramble across goal to tip wide when taking a trade-mark curling free-kick from 25 yards.

Continued in same vein in the second half pinging 50 yard balls, picking out Rooney with a whipped cross and driving just wide from outside the box as England ran riot.

Steven Gerrard

Composed performance. As England racked the goals up in the second half he managed to forge forward and was involved in several nice interchanges in the attacking third before exiting with 20 minutes to play.

Frank Lampard

Another strong display from the England Player of the Year 2004. The Chelsea man broke up play well and gave the Northern Irish defence numerous problems as he drove forward from central midfield.

His perfectly weighted through-ball set up a golden opportunity for Michael Owen on 18 mins, and he almost got his name on the scoresheet just before half-time, his drive from the corner of the penalty area being palmed away by Taylor.

A surging run early in the second half gave Owen a chance he couldn't miss and he went on to score England’s fourth through a deflected 30-yard drive.

Could have added insult to injury with 18 minutes remaining as he slammed against the bar from a Kieron Dyer pull-back.

Joe Cole

In the form of his life at Chelsea, Joe Cole today carried this into the international arena.

He was England’s outstanding player in the opening minutes, with two early strikes signalling his intent, and continued to sparkle throughout the first half, producing several dangerous crosses and showing his full armoury of tricks.

Early in the second half he got England’s scoring spree underway with an expertly placed low curling shot past the sprawling Taylor.

Wayne Rooney

There is little more that can be said about Rooney. Every time he picked the ball up a ripple of excitement ran through the Old Trafford crowd.

Having linked well with Owen in the first half he first headed against the post from a Neville cross, and went on to hit a 25 yard pile-driver which was well saved by a scrambling Maik Taylor.

It just got better in the second half as a tremendous piece of skill on the right touchline left the Irish defence stationary and his ball across the six yard box was deflected in by Chris Baird.

Michael Owen

A relatively quiet first half for Michael, in which he had one clear opportunity from a defence splitting Lampard pass, preceded his 29th goal for the Three Lions, putting him just one behind Alan Shearer in the all-time rankings.

Lampard's surge through the Northern Ireland defence left Owen with an easy chance to finish with the outside of his right boot.

He nearly added to his tally by getting on the end of Rooney’s skill, but Baird deflected the ball in before Owen could finish.

The Subs

Kieron Dyer

On with 20 minutes remaining, replacing Beckham down the right, he was immediately involved as Rooney played a delicious ball to him, splitting the Irish defence. His ball back to Lampard was slammed against the bar as England pushed for five.

Kieron was involved again with ten minutes to play as his surging run led to Owen firing just over the bar.

Owen Hargreaves

Replaced Steven Gerrard in the defensive central midfield role with 18 minutes remaining, Hargreaves had little opportunity to impose himself on a game which had already ended as a competitive fixture.

Jermain Defoe

The Spurs man entered with ten minutes to play in place of Rooney, and had several nice touches as England turned on the style.