The Republic of Ireland beat the USA 4-1 tonight to ensure that they finished off 2014 on a high note.

Robbie Brady scored twice in a win that flattered the Boys in Green, with Anthony Pilkington and James McLean also on the scoresheet for the hosts in Dublin.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at how the players fared individually.

© Getty Images

Goal

Shay Given: One or two hairy moments early on but pulled off a fine save to deny Wood in the second half in a one-on-one situation. Blameless for their goal. (7/10)

Defence

Robbie Brady: Struggled with the defensive duties in an unfamiliar left-back role, but always posed an attacking threat and scored twice - including an excellent free kick late on. (7/10)

Alex Pearce: Relatively sound defensively and did well to mop up every ball that fell to him in Ireland's box. Might've scored late on but missed a good chance with a header. (6/10)

Ciaran Clark: One or two crucial interceptions to thwart USA and Jozy Altidore in particular. Did not put a foot wrong. (6/10)

Cyrus Christie: Very encouraging debut from the Derby County full-back, who looked a bit nervous early on but grew in confidence as the game went on to the point where it was a surprise to learn he had not played at this level before. (7/10)

Midfield

David Meyler: Cheaply conceded possession in midfield in an error that led to USA opening the scoring in the first half. Made one or two important interceptions in a bid to atone for the error, but that is not what people will remember. (5/10)

Stephen Quinn: Energetic first-half performance from the Hull man but faded badly in the second half. (5/10)

Anthony Pilkington: Showed composure to superbly dink a nonchalant shot over Hamid to open the scoring, but found himself on the periphery of the game after that. Subbed on 65 minutes. (6/10)

Anthony Stokes: Dovetailed well with Brady at times, but struggled in an unfamiliar left-wing position. Subbed on the hour mark. Unfair to judge him on this showing. (5/10)

Attack

Daryl Murphy: Anonymous display from the Ipswich striker and missed the best chance of the first half by firing straight at Hamid. He will get few better chances to open his account at club level. (4/10)

David McGoldrick: Marked his Republic of Ireland with two fine assists - especially the second one, where he sacrificed his own chances of scoring to set up Brady. Excellent display. (8/10)

Substitutes

Aiden McGeady: Did not have as much of an impact as the fans wanted, producing one or two neat tricks but very little of substance. (5/10)

James McLean: Scored a key third goal at a time when USA were heavily threatening to get back on level terms. (6/10)

Shane Long: Had Ireland fans on their feet with a lung-bursting run past Cameron before curling the ball against the post from an acute angle. Excellent cameo. (6/10)

Goal

Bill Hamid: Could do very little about any of the four goals, with Ireland scoring from four of their five shots on target. He did, however, spread himself well to keep out Murphy in the first half. (6/10)

Defence

Matt Besler: Slightly culpable for the concession of the opening goal after finding himself in no man's land and failed to track the run of goalscorer Pilkington. (4/10)

Geoff Cameron: Sliced his clearance in the lead up to the third goal, which was deflected off the Stoke City man en route to beating Hamid. Had a few good moments defensively. (5/10)

Fabian Johnson: Excellent performance from the left-back who showed why he is so highly thought of. Produced one crucial interception in the second half to thwart Murphy. Hit the post, too. (7/10)

Timothy Chandler: Fizzed some fantastic crosses into Ireland's box but none of them were utilised. (6/10)

Midfield

Kyle Beckerman: Booked for a rash challenge on Pilkington that might have seen him red carded in a competitive outing, but a relatively solid midfield performance overall. (5/10)

Alejandro Bedoya: Perhaps USA's best player. Emerged as the star of the show in the first half, and bagged a great assist by heading into the path of Diskerud, but his influence dipped in the second half. They needed him. (6/10)

Alfredo Morales: Guilty of over-playing at times and lost possession moments before McGoldrick set up Pilkington. (4/10)

Mix Diskerud: Finished off a fine team move by poking past Given following Bedoya's cushioned header. One of the only bright spots in the game for him, however. (6/10)

Attack

Chris Wondolowski: Replaced by Wood at half time for what proved a completely anonymous first 45 minutes from the MLS legend. Offered very little up front. (4/10)

Jozy Altidore: Did little to enhance his reputation tonight by crashing a shot against the crossbar from 10 yards out. He should have scored, but did well in the build-up to USA's goal. (5/10)

Substitutes

Bobby Wood: Helped breathe fresh life into USA's attack after falling a goal behind in the second half, but missed a glorious chance to level matters after missing a one-on-one with Given. (5/10)

Greg Garza: Another second-half sub that should have scored after rifling a close-range shot straight at Given. Huge miss. (4/10)

Jordan Morris: Did not have as much impact as the two that came on before him, but only had the best of part 10 minutes to stamp his authority on the game. (4/10)