DUBLIN: Lee Carsley could not have made a better start in his audition to become permanent England manager as goals from Declan Rice and Jack Grealiish provided England with a 2-0 victory away to the Republic of Ireland in the Aviva Stadium in the UEFA Nations League.
Ironically Rice and Grealish both once represented Ireland at youth level and Rice played in three senior friendly internationals.
Rice silenced persistent the jeers from the home fans after firing home in the 11th minute when Harry Kane’s shot was blocked. He chose not to celebrate, while Grealish, who represented Ireland at youth level, put his fingers in his ears after scoring on his return to the England side following his omission from Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad.
His goal followed a slick move in the 26th minute, with Rice providing the assist.
Ireland had started well in Heimir Hallgrimsson’s first game as boss. They wasted a third-minute chance when the unmarked Jayson Molumby headed over from close range. Then Sammie Szmodics forced a diving save from Jordan Pickford before England took command.
England looked refreshed and re-energised from the side beaten in the Euro 2024 final by Spain and Carsley will want another victory, albeit with more goals, against Finland at Wembley on Tuesday when captain Harry is Kane expected to win his 100th cap.
Carsley, the under-21s and interim senior manager after the end of Gareth Southgate’s eight years in charge, sought to deflect any personal credit for the result.
He said: “The players have got to take a lot of credit the way they took on some of the things we spoke about, moving the ball forward quickly, running forward, trying to get in pockets, I thought they did really well.”
Rice reciprocated the praise saying: “It’s been really refreshing this week, he’s been amazing to work with, his meetings have been top, the way he’s worked in training has been really good. I’ve really enjoyed it and so have all the lads. It’s been a fresh start.”
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