Switzerland v England: Winners and losers

Published: 19/10/11,

We run through the players who won and lost out of England's 3-1 win in Basel.

Winners

Wayne Rooney

After all the hype surrounding Rooney's private life this week, the Manchester United man must have been delighted to be able to take to the pitch in Basel. And he dispelled talk of his private problems affecting his on-field performances within ten minutes, scoring England's opener.

Rooney simply ran the Swiss ragged all game. Granted, he was given far too much space in the opposing half by an unusually ill-disciplined Swiss defence. But if this performance is anything to go by, Rooney's performances will not suffer after this week's lurid headlines - even if his public profile might.

Adam Johnson

Things looked bad for England after Theo Walcott's early injury, but if anything Johnson's performance as the Arsenal winger's replacement was the pick of the bunch for the Three Lions. The Manchester City midfielder's fine performance on the England right was capped by a fine goal, where he confidently took the ball round Swiss 'keeper Benaglio.

Johnson now has two goals for his four England caps, underlining his excellent potential in an England shirt. We may lament the injury to the unfortunate Theo Walcott, who is also getting back to his devastating best, but Johnson looks like a very able contender for a starting berth in future.

Joleon Lescott

Lescott's last international appearance came against Brazil in Qatar last November, where England lost 1-0 to a far superior side. One wondered then whether Lescott would ever appear again, particular after struggles at club level, where a protracted move to Manchester City from Everton appeared to trigger a downturn in his form.

Lescott answered the critics in the best possible way against Switzerland, putting in a commanding performance to effectively shut down Switzerland's front pairing of Derdiyok and Frei. He combined effectively with his former central defensive partner at Everton, Phil Jagielka, and now looks to be very much part of Fabio Capello's future plans.

Losers

Shaun Wright-Phillips

The jury remains out on Wright-Phillips after another unconvincing substitute appearance. Replacing Wayne Rooney on 78 minutes, Wright-Phillips was put clean through on goal just moments later, but fluffed a pass to Darren Bent when it seemed easier to score himself. It may seem churlish to criticise, but with competition for places in this England side heating up, that miss was a glaring one.

At club level the Manchester City winger has started just one of City's three matches this year, and looks to be slipping down the order at Eastlands. Likewise the excellent performances of the likes of James Milner, Theo Walcott and Adam Johnson have left Wright-Phillips's England place in jeopardy. He may be a casualty when Capello's next squad is announced.

Matthew Upson

Reportedly upset at being overlooked for England's 4-0 home win over Bulgaria on Friday, the final nail may have been hammered into Upson's England coffin after an assured defensive display by Phil Jagielka and Joleon Lescott in Basel. He has slipped down the pecking order rapidly since being first choice replacement in South Africa, and may not get the call again.

Fabio Capello seems to have lost faith in the West Ham man, the Italian not even selecting Upson for the bench. And with his replacement as defensive backup Gary Cahill drawing plaudits at both club and international level, Upson's England career could be over.

Carlton Cole

Cole will get his chance in an England shirt, but the performances by England's other attacking options against Switzerland may have set him back a touch. Wayne Rooney and Jermain Defoe appear to have an understanding, linking up well all game. Meanwhile Defoe's second-half replacement Darren Bent finally broke his England duck after seven caps with a well-taken goal.

After missing a penalty in struggling West Ham's home defeat to Bolton a fortnight ago Cole may have been happy to get some respite during international week. Instead he has seen his rivals for England's striking berth clamber ahead of him in Fabio Capello's thoughts.