Maik Taylor: Saved a penalty but this was not one of the best days for the Birmingham keeper.

Michael Duff: Should have scored with an early header and failed to control the rampaging Ryan Giggs.

Colin Murdock: An uncomfortable 90 minutes and an unnecessary foul led to the third Welsh goal.

Stephen Craigan: The best of the defenders but looked vulnerable as Wales counter-attacked with pace.

Tony Capaldi: Gave away a penalty and found the speed of Simon Davies difficult to handle.

Keith Gillespie: A fine goal from the winger who was excellent in defence and attack.

Damien Johnson: A busy display but the midfielder wasted a glorious chance to equalise in the second half.

Steven Davis: Another classy display and a first international goal for the Aston Villa playmaker.

Stuart Elliott: Worked hard but the Hull winger failed to impose himself in the final third. Substituted in the second half.

James Quinn: Typically tireless display and played a part in the build-up to Steve Davis' goal.

David Healy: Poor service restricted his impact although he played Gillespie through for his goal.

Substitutes

Chris Brunt (replaced Elliott, 64 mins): Failed to change the game and late free-kick did not test Jones.

Steve Jones (replaced Duff, 82 mins): The Crewe player had little time to influence the game.

Paul Jones: Will be disappointed to have been beaten at his near post for Northern Ireland's second goal, but managed to stand firm under late heavy pressure.

Mark Delaney: Accomplished display after a long lay-off with injury, and slotted in well at centre-back after James Collins' injury.

James Collins: A dominant aerial display before a shoulder injury brought his afternoon to a premature end.

David Partridge: Struggled in the air against James Quinn and should have done better for Northern Ireland's second goal.

Sam Ricketts: Created the first goal with a intelligent low cross but found Keith Gillespie a difficult customer and looked off the pace.

Simon Davies: Clinical finish to put Wales ahead and looked one of Wales' best players going forward.

Carl Fletcher: Failed to make much impact in midfield but played his part well in Wales' first goal.

Carl Robinson: Superb finish to put Wales 2-0 ahead and came more into the game in the second half.

Ryan Giggs: Showed his class with a trademark run to set-up Wales' second goal and a magnificent free-kick clinched a precious victory.

John Hartson: Wasted a golden opportunity to put the result beyond reach when he missed a first-half penalty and struggled to make his presence felt.

Rob Earnshaw: Cleverly won the free-kick for Wales' third goal but caused the home defence few problems and was replaced late on as Wales looked to hang on.

Substitutes

Richard Duffy (replaced Collins, 52 mins): Faultless display as a second-half substitute and made some crucial clearances under heavy pressure.

David Vaughan (replaced Earnshaw, 77 mins): Not on long enough to have any influence on the game.

Danny Collins (replaced Ricketts, 87 mins): No time to impress.