David Seaman
Rarely troubled despite Slovakia's pressure and made a couple of important saves when called into action in the second half.

Gary Neville
Went missing for the goal, poor at times in possession and sometimes off the pace on his return to the side.

Jonathan Woodgate
Central defensive partnership with Southgate never really gelled, and he allowed Nemeth space for the Slovakian goal.

Gareth Southgate
Given a torrid time by the movement of Vittek and Nemeth and also missed a golden chance to head England level.

Ashley Cole
Defensively exposed by Pinte's header that led to the Slovakian goal and not his usual confident self going forward.

David Beckham
Drifted inside which didn't help England's shape in midfield, but once again his set-piece delivery rescued Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Nicky Butt
Never recovered after being caught in possession early on, and looked a shadow of the star that tamed Argentina in the World Cup.

Steven Gerrard
Started brightly but fatally allowed Janocko to cross for Nemeth's goal. One of his poorest England performances.

Paul Scholes
Initially deployed in the graveyard that was the left of midfield, but came alive to cross for Owen's winner.

Emile Heskey
Tracked back diligently to help out defensively and scrapped just as valiantly in attack. A good riposte to his critics.

Michael Owen
Feeding off scraps of possession, Owen showed his international class with a classic piece of goal poaching to steal the points for England.

Substitutes:

Kieron Dyer
Came on for Gerrard and provided some much needed impetus on the right.

Owen Hargreaves
Replaced Owen for the last five minutes to shore up the England defence.

Alan Smith
Replaced Heskey in stoppage time, Smith failed to touch the ball.