Republic of Ireland 0, England 2
Interim England boss Lee Carsley won his first game in charge with a 2-0 win against the Republic of Ireland in the Nations League with goals by Declan Rice and Jack Grealish who both represented the hosts.
Embed from Getty ImagesRice, who played three senior international friendlies for the Irish before switching to England, was respectful in his subdued celebration after putting England into an 11th minute lead at Lansdowne Road after a penetrating deep pass by Trent Alexander-Arnold was not cleared.
But there was no such decorum from Grealish, who featured for the Irish U21 side. who converted a chance set up by Rice after a slick one touch passing move that swept through the static Irish defence after 26 minutes – the Manchester City man had no qualms about celebrating fully after he impressed in a central midfield role.
All of this will have been pleasing for Carsley, himself a former Ireland international with 40 caps, whose only misstep on the night was accidentally making his way into the home dugout prior to kick off.
He had already promised attacking football – a change from the more cautious approach by previous manager Gareth Southgate – and his pre-match selection addressed common gripes about the England squad going into Euro 2024.
Jordan Pickford started as goalkeeper again but had clearly been instructed to play fewer long balls out of his area – he was asked to start the build up with shorter passes.
But the rest of the team was allowed to move the ball upfield quicker.
Anthony Gordon started on the left flank so that captain Harry Kane was surrounded by pace on both flanks with Bukayo Saka down the right flank.
Levi Colwill, a centre half by trade, offered a genuine left footed option at left back.
Remarkably, Harry Maguire was trusted at centre half alongside the in-demand Marc Guehi.
And Trent Alexander-Arnold was restored to the right back role but given licence to invert into midfield.
Grealish was used as an attacking central midfielder while Rice and Kobbie Mainoo controlled midfield behind him and joined him in attack.
If the first half was an entertaining attacking performance from Carsley’s England then the second half saw the Irish try and play their part as the visitors appeared to take their foot off the gas with the game completely under control after a slightly shaky star but in truth the points were safe.