Rooney scored the only goal from the penalty spot and therefore found his name in the headlines yet again, but England looked most lively after he was substituted, with 20 minutes remaining.
That allowed Roy Hodgson to change system, playing Daniel Sturridge and Danny Welbeck upfront together, with Raheem Sterling at the head of a midfield diamond, where he had excelled for
Liverpool in their 3-0 thrashing of Tottenham last weekend. There was greater pace in England’s attack, neater combinations between the lines and more players in advance of the ball, giving the midfielders options.
Even when Rooney was on the pitch, he was not involved in England’s best moves. Club combinations came to the fore: Sterling and Sturridge twice interchanged passes excellently, then Jack Wilshere and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain played a neat one-two.
England’s best passingmoves were played around Rooney, rather than through him, and for a No10, that is a damning indictment of his minimal influence.