By Phil McNulty

Our man with England

Our assessment of every England player's performance at Euro 2004. Sven-Goran Eriksson - 6: Mixed tournament for England's coach. Was proved right about the selection of Ledley King ahead of Jamie Carragher against France, but did he substitute Wayne Rooney too soon in that game? Never truly solved his midfield puzzle, particularly on the left side and was again guilty of over-caution against Portugal. David James - 6: Never inspired confidence in England's defence and was fortunate to get away with several moments of mishandling. Good shot-stopper, but decision-making questionable and must now be replaced by either Paul Robinson or Chris Kirkland. Gary Neville - 7: True leader on and off the pitch, performing with great reliability. Dug deep when needed and was an inspiration when England were under pressure against France and Portugal - which was often. Sol Campbell - 8: The rock at the heart of defence. Barely put a foot wrong in Portugal and will once again rue a debatable disallowed goal, this time against Portugal. Towering in the air and excellent as the senior partner in central defence. John Terry - 6: Tournament disrupted by a hamstring injury that forced him to miss the opener against France. Never quite looked fully match sharp, although improved with games. Was at fault for Helder Postiga's crucial late equaliser against Portugal when he failed to cut out a cross. Ashley Cole - 8: Outstanding throughout - one of the giants of England's campaign. Capped it all with a magnificent display against Portugal which his team-mates regarded as one of the great individual international performances. Arrives home with a good reputation hugely enhanced. David Beckham - 5: The biggest disappointment. England's captain looked lightweight and jaded, and while he made a contribution to the win against Switzerland, was poor when it mattered against France and Portugal. Missed penalties only inflicted more damage on his reputation. Paul Scholes - 6: Mixed campaign from the Manchester United man, but sympathy because he was playing in a position to which he is clearly unsuited on the left flank. Scholes drifts naturally into the centre and is at his most effective when in possession. Ended his three-year goal-scoring drought against Croatia, but will have wished for more from Euro 2004. Steven Gerrard - 7: Recovered well from his calamitous back-pass that gave France victory in the opening game. Maybe not quite the stellar impact England had hoped for, but still a good tournament. Scored against Switzerland and ran a marathon against Portugal until cramp caught up with him. Frank Lampard - 7: Three goals in four games was an excellent contribution from midfield and can regard his first major tournament as a success. His partnership with Steven Gerrard in midfield is still a work in progress but nailed down a place for the future. Wayne Rooney - 9 (STAR MAN): The new England superstar. Astounding performances for an 18-year-old, frightening France and scoring twice against Switzerland and Croatia. Rooney's early injury against Portugal had a devastating impact on England's mood and attacking threat. The best young prospect in world football. Michael Owen - 7: Slow starter, but finished the tournament as the world-class striker he is. Owen's partnership with Rooney grew with every game. The Liverpool striker turned creator for his Everton partner in this tournament and forms a strike partnership that will be the envy of Europe. Fantastic finish against Portugal. Ledley King - 7: The Spurs youngster was thrown in against France because of John Terry's injury and acquitted himself superbly. Composed and quick, did his growing reputation no harm whatsoever. Now firmly pencilled in as part of England's future. Darius Vassell - 6: Will be remembered for missing the crucial penalty against Portugal, but gave a particularly lively performance as a substitute against Switzerland, where he created a goal for Rooney. Vassell's performance when given 75 minutes as a substitute against Portugal suggests he will always be better as a shock tactic rather than a starter. Phil Neville - 6: Valuable squad man who made his contribution as a substitute, but was unable to stop the Portugal tide when thrown on as a destructive force with England under fierce pressure in the Stadium of Light. Owen Hargreaves - 6: Willing runner and full of energy, but is possibly just short of class to be a regular starter in England's team. Emile Heskey - 5: Oh dear. Was painted, rather harshly, as the villain of the piece for clumsily conceding the foul that led to Zinedine Zidane's injury-time equaliser against France, but subsequently almost disappeared off the radar. A sensitive soul who may have trouble rebuilding his England career after this. Kieron Dyer - 5: Lively appearance as a substitute late on against Switzerland, but otherwise tournament was something of a non-event. Wayne Bridge, Paul Robinson, Jamie Carragher, Nicky Butt, Joe Cole and Ian Walker did not play in Euro 2004.



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