England kicked off the post-Gareth Southgate period with a 2-0 win on the Republic of Eire on Saturday night.
The Three Lions emerged as victors within the opening sport of their UEFA Nations League marketing campaign, with interim boss Lee Carsley getting off to the right begin within the dugout.
After heartbreak at Euro 2024, England followers had been hoping to see the evolution of a younger workforce who performed to their entertaining strengths.
So how did this primary step right into a courageous new world look? Listed below are 5 takeaways from this weekend’s encounter in Dublin.
Carsley has adopted Southgate’s path to the England touchline to this point, making an impression at Below-21 stage earlier than being handed the reins to the senior workforce on an interim foundation.
The previous midfielder seemingly understands he might want to stand out from his predecessor if he’s to get the job full time, and made positive to make that differential identified.
England utterly dominated the ball and have been enthralling within the first half – their 2-0 half-time lead maybe flattered Eire.
There was additionally a tactical savviness to Carsley’s aspect, however we’ll get to that later.
After a couple of years being shunted to the wing at membership stage, along with his principal job to easily preserve possession – which, we stress, shouldn’t be thought of the precedence talent for top-level wide-man – Jack Grealish was allowed to play in is pure No. 10 place.
Even past his silencing objective, Grealish had a discipline day and represented what this new-look England workforce could be. He rediscovered his swagger and mojo, whereas taking pleasure out of Eire’s nonplussed defenders kicking lumps out of him. Grealish was having enjoyable and successful all of the whereas.
It is a thriller how Kyle Walker was voted into the UEFA Workforce of the Event for Euro 2024 given how damaging a few of his performances have been – he did not present the defensive solidity or restoration tempo he was within the England aspect for.
Southgate tried Alexander-Arnold in midfield and was assured his ‘experiment’ would work, solely to chuck it on the scrap heap after solely two video games.
Carsley bought the steadiness of England’s again 4 spot on at Eire. Alexander-Arnold began at right-back and tucked into midfield, whereas left-back Levi Colwill got here inside as one other centre-back.
This allowed the Liverpool star to seek out area to utilise his insane vary of passing, and although this meant his aspect required an additional little bit of defensive cowl, he was named England’s Participant of the Match.
If you are going to play on the entrance foot, you must play those that excel on the entrance foot.
As talked about, England ought to have been out of sight by half-time. In the course of the second 45, Eire inched their method up the pitch. They did not land a significant blow, nevertheless it was fairly notable how the Three Lions allowed themselves room to breathe.
Former Eire worldwide Roy Keane was significantly scathing throughout his look on ITV, calling England’s second-half show ‘terrible’.
For pretty much as good as England have been at instances, it won’t be video games towards the likes of Eire that can outline their subsequent chapter.
Positive, this proved a promising warmup for the challenges down the street, however we should not get forward of ourselves and declare the Three Lions as world champions-elect or something of the type.
