Chris Graham

DONALD TRUMP

Trump was singing from the same hymn sheet as previous debates but hit the right notes more often than before. He was more composed, his attacks struck a chord, and - apart from the you're a puppet' retort to Clinton on the subject of Vladimir Putin - he rarely resorted to playground insults.

Clinton was more of the same. She pasted on her mirthless smile during the attacks and followed the script of previous outings without springing any surprises. It probably won't be enough to win a decisive swing in the polls for Trump, but it might halt the slide for the moment.

David Millward

HILLARY CLINTON

For about the first hour, Mr Trump was ahead. He kept cool and again was strong and assured on the economy. He was helped by Mrs Clinton being at her smug worst, with a fixed smile which really grated. She also missed an open goal by carrying on when she had him on the ropes about the use of Chinese steel in the construction in his Las Vegas casinos.