The Malta Independent on Sunday
Lee Carsley starts with a 2-0 win after Rice and Grealish goals
This was a great day for Grealish. Back in the England team in his favoured No 10 position, he was integral to everything good that England did. He looked happy and confident, as was clear when he gleefully celebrated his well-taken goal.
It must have been a relief given it was only three months ago that he was cut from Southgate’s squad for Euro 2024 to the shock of not just Grealish himself but some of his team-mates.
Given how well the 28-year-old played, you might think he will be an integral part of the Carsley era. But there is an issue. Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer were all absent from this England squad. They are three of England’s best players and not just in this particular position.
They will all want to play in that No 10 role. Southgate never quite worked out how to play Foden and Bellingham together, to England’s cost at the Euros. How Carsley will fit those three along with Grealish will be one of the questions that defines his tenure.
When interviewed earlier this week and asked if Euro 2024 was a success or failure for England, Anthony Gordon did not hesitate to say the latter. “You could say we controlled our games, but I don’t think we were very dynamic,” he added, highlighting that England failed to put teams away and relied on individual brilliance.
Part of that was England’s left side, with Kieran Trippier a makeshift, right-footed left-back and Phil Foden ahead of him. It meant England were stocked with ball-to-feet No 10s and a No 9 who wanted to drop into the space in midfield. Southgate only used Gordon once from the bench.
The first half in Ireland showed Gordon’s suitability, consistently running in-behind to complement Harry Kane coming deeper, a key threat against 5-4-1 defending with a high-line, and the ideal type of winger to maximise Trent
Alexander-Arnold’s passing range from midfield.
England’s first goal came from that move. Even if Gordon should have scored the initial chance, his runs in behind Ireland’s defence were disruptive, giving England central routes through and pulling defenders deeper to make space for Grealish.
Carsley has stressed the importance of England having multiple ways of playing, all tailored to individual strengths. He’s found one in his first game.
Carsley’s comments before the game that he would not sing the national anthem have become a huge story, even though he was clear he has never sung an anthem, preferring to focus on the match ahead. So it was no surprise to see Carsley standing tightlipped when God Save the King was played before kick-off (after he had momentarily sat in the home rather than away dugout).
As expected, Grealish and Rice were heavily booed when the game started, although neither player looked distracted by it. They both started the game brilliantly before scoring. Rice responded with a pointedly muted non-celebration, holding his palms to the floor as if to apologise to the Irish crowd he represented three times in the past.