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England player ratings: Peter Taylor's verdict on Slovakia match

Wayne Rooney leads out England
Image: Wayne Rooney leads England out in their opening World Cup qualifier against Slovakia on Sunday

Adam Lallana struck a 95th-minute winner to secure Sam Allardyce a dramatic 1-0 win over Slovakia in his first match in charge of England.

The Liverpool forward's last-gasp goal earned the new England boss a morale-boosting victory and three points in Sunday's World Cup qualifier at the Stadion Antona Malatinskeho. 

No quick fix for Sam
No quick fix for Sam

Five questions for Allardyce to ponder

But how did Allardyce's boys - and indeed the man himself - fare in Slovakia? Who looked good and who could have performed better?

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We asked former England caretaker manager Peter Taylor to give us his ratings out of 10...

Sam Allardyce manager of England applauds the travelling fans
Image: Sam Allardyce applauds the travelling fans after England's 1-0 win over Slovakia

Sam Allardyce - 8

I think he picked a positive team and I don't think he could have done more on the strength that they looked good defensively. There are certain things you can see they have worked on - they look good on set pieces defensively and to me we've created enough chances to win the match so, as a manager, I would give him a strong eight out of 10 on the strength of his first game.

Joe Hart
Image: Joe Hart had little to do in Slovakia

Joe Hart - 7

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Hart hardly had anything to do. There was one pass-back which he looked a little bit nervous with but, apart from that, I'd say he looked comfortable.

Kyle Walker of England is faced by Viktor Pecovsky of Slovakia
Image: Kyle Walker of England is faced by Viktor Pecovsky of Slovakia

Kyle Walker - 7

He got up and down the pitch well for the whole 90 minutes and he looked good, so I was pretty impressed with Walker's performance on the whole.

TRNAVA, SLOVAKIA - SEPTEMBER 04:  Adam Lallana of England (obscured) celebrates with team mates as he scores their first goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cu
Image: Danny Rose embraces goal-scorer Adam Lallana

Danny Rose - 7

Whenever he had to defend, he defended well. There were a couple of times one v one where he defended well, but he also got forward throughout. You can't ask for any more than that from a full-back.

BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: John Stones of England passes during an England training session at St George's Park on August 30, 2016 in Burton-u
Image: John Stones looked assured through the Slovakia match

John Stones - 8

Stones was brilliant. I thought he defended well on the areas that he had to defend and I also thought he ran the ball out and looked very good on the ball. My man of the match.

Gary Cahill tangles with Slovakia's Michal Duris
Image: Gary Cahill tangles with Slovakia's Michal Duris

Gary Cahill - 7

I would say Cahill didn't do anything wrong. He got all of his defensive qualities right and had a solid performance.

Sam Allardyce gives instructions during his first match in charge of England
Image: Sam Allardyce gives instructions during his first match in charge of England

Jordan Henderson - 6

I felt as though Henderson, the holding midfield player, could have got forward a touch more but he might have been under instructions to sit there. I just think to play in that position you need a little bit more quality.

SAINT-ETIENNE, FRANCE - JUNE 20: Eric Dier of England reacts during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group B match between Slovakia and England at Stade Geoffroy-Guichar
Image: Dier played in central midfield

Eric Dier - 7

Nothing wrong from Dier - he filled in areas that John Stones left so he was very important to the team and he never gave the ball away. 

 Wayne Rooney  battles with Jan Gregus of Slovakia
Image: Rooney battles with Slovakia's Jan Gregus

Wayne Rooney - 7

Rooney got a lot of touches, he did a lot of good things today. Again, he showed that his experience is very important to the team. 

Raheem Sterling reacts during England's World Cup Group F qualifying match between Slovakia
Image: Raheem Sterling reacts during England's World Cup Group F qualifying match between Slovakia

Raheem Sterling - 6

I thought Sterling started alright in both halves, but then he went backwards a little bit as well. I know he didn't complete the game but he's got to prove to me more and he's got to give me more end product.

TRNAVA, SLOVAKIA - SEPTEMBER 04:  Adam Lallana of England as he scores their first goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Group F qualifying match between Slo
Image: Adam Lallana celebrates as he scores the winner in England's 1-0 victory over Slovakia

Adam Lallana - 7

He was excellent and I'm really pleased he's got a goal. He does most things right but generally he doesn't score enough goals so it's great that he's got that. 

 Harry Kane in action at the Stadion Antona Malatinskeho
Image: Harry Kane in action at the Stadion Antona Malatinskeho

Harry Kane - 6

He's still not looking the same confident player that he was last season. He needs a goal and I think he needs a partner sometimes. He's playing up there on his own which is difficult for him.

Substitutes

Dele Alli takes on Slovakia's Jan Durica and Marek Hamsik
Image: Dele Alli takes on Slovakia's Jan Durica and Marek Hamsik

Dele Alli - 7

He did great when he came on. I thought when he came on he showed a terrific attitude and did really well with his feet.

TRNAVA, SLOVAKIA - SEPTEMBER 04:  Theo Walcott of England (14) reacts as his goal is disallowed during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Group F qualifying match bet
Image: Theo Walcott reacts as his goal is disallowed

Theo Walcott - 6

I don't think he really took on what Sterling left and I don't think he ran at people enough. I still think Theo has got to get back to how he was.

England players appeal to referee Milorad Mazic as Theo Walcott's goal is disallowed
Image: England players appeal to referee Milorad Mazic as Theo Walcott's goal is disallowed

Daniel Sturridge - 6

You wanted the ball to drop to him because he's such a good finisher. He didn't do anything wrong but then he was only on the pitch for a short while.

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