GARY LINEKER has praised the three decisions made by Lee Carsley in his first game in charge of England.
Interim boss Carsley, 50, began life after Gareth Southgate with a 2-0 win against the Republic of Ireland on Saturday thanks to goals from Declan Rice and Jack Grealish.
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Gary Lineker sent a message to Gareth Southgate after Lee Carsley’s first game Credit: BBC
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Southgate led England to the Euro finals but was criticized for the team’s styleCredit: Getty
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Carsley’s England produced an incredible first 45 minutes in their 2-0 win over IrelandCredit: Sportsfile
It is the first of six matches Carsley is guaranteed as he looks to prove that he can be handed the job on a permanent basis.
Former England striker Lineker, 63, welcomed the inclusion of Anthony Gordon, Grealish and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
He also claimed that those unhappy with Southgate’s style of play during England’s summer run to the Euro finals will now say “we told you so”.
Speaking on The Rest of Football, he said: “It’s also interesting, isn’t it, that maybe some of the things fans were most disappointed about at the Euros – well, probably three things, maybe more.
“But everyone wanted Anthony Gordon to play on the left because we all saw the weakness and the imbalance on that side.
“Also to be able to run behind players because Kane likes to be short and you have to have a threat behind so he did that.
“The other thing was him [Southgate] he left Jack Grealish out of the squad, which surprised a lot of people, and he came on and played really well.
“And obviously, he never really trusted Trent Alexander-Arnold. In the first game, Carsley came up with all these things and a lot of us said ‘see? We told you so’.”
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Jack Grealish scored on his return to the side after being left out of the Euro squad Credit: Getty
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Anthony Gordon started on the left side after missing minutes during the summer Credit: Getty
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Trent Alexander-Arnold is back at right-back after a failed experiment in midfieldCredit: Getty
Newcastle winger Gordon, 23, played just one minute at the Euros as Southgate opted for Phil Foden and Bukaya Saka in wide areas.
But he was always a threat against Ireland and made the run behind to start the move for Rice’s first goal.
Roy Keane slams ‘arrogant’ England as ‘terrible’ despite caretaker boss Lee Carsley winning debut against Ireland
Grealish, 28, missed the Euros altogether after a disappointing season for Manchester City in which he managed just three goals and three assists in 36 appearances.
But he hit back at his critics and the boos that echoed around the stadium – having represented Ireland at U21 level – with a goal and a superb performance in the No.10 role.
Alexander-Arnold, 25, spent the first two games of the Euros playing in midfield in a widely criticized experiment.
He was then dropped and played just 11 more minutes in the tournament, although he scored the winning penalty against Switzerland.
But the Liverpool man looked much better at home at right-back against Ireland, moving into midfield in possession.
While Kyle Walker was not in the team, Alexander-Arnold made a great pass to Gordon that led to Rice’s goal.
Carsley’s second game in charge comes against Finland at Wembley on Tuesday.
England Euro 2024 quarrel with experts
Tom Barclay, football reporter
Historically, newspapers have been where the English team directed their frustration when they didn’t play well in a major tournament.
But at this summer’s Euros, pundits rather than the traditional press were on the receiving end as Gareth Southgate’s side struggled to get out of their dream group.
In the opening half hour of the 1-0 win over Serbia, Southgate has struggled badly in his first three matches, including poor draws against Denmark and Slovenia.
In particular, it caused fierce criticism from English legends Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker.
Shearer hit out at the team’s 1-1 draw with the Danes on BBC commentary, claiming there was “no excuse” for the lackluster performance.
Lineker was also unimpressed, commenting on his Rest is Football podcast: “I mean, you can come up with some words and swear words if you want, but that was s***”.
Captain Harry Kane held a press conference a few days later ahead of the match against Slovenia where he was asked about Lineker’s X-rating ruling.
The Bayern star said: “What former players who are now experts have to understand is that now it’s very difficult not to listen to it, especially for some players who are not used to it or are new to the environment. I always feel they have a responsibility as a former England player that a lot of players look up to.”
Social media was also predictably awash with criticism of the team, and this spilled over into the stadium after the 0-0 draw with Slovenia, when the hosts threw three empty beer mugs at Southgate as he went to applaud the fans at full-time.
Southgate claimed he was “oblivious” to the expert stick he was getting – including from former team-mates – but pointedly labeled the atmosphere he was working in as an “unusual environment”.
England were Jude Bellingham’s latest overhead kick away from a humiliating exit in Slovakia in the last 16, continuing their unconvincing run of form before turning it around in extra time.
An annoyed Bellingham threw some “negativity” around the team in his postgame press conference.
While Southgate also opened up about the personal nature of the attacks on him, saying: “I can’t deny some of them are personal, you know… This is a job where you’re ridiculed and your professional abilities are questioned beyond belief, and I don’t think normally they don’t even throw beer at you.”
Southgate then led England to the final, where the team lost 2-1 to Spain thanks to a heartbreaking late strike from Mikel Oyarzabal, before stepping down the following week.
Much of the debate ahead of the Ireland game centered around Carsley’s decision not to sing the national anthem.
But he immediately silenced the doubters as his side made a sensational opening 45 minutes.
After the game he said: “In the back of your mind you’re always thinking… you know, it’s easy to be England manager, isn’t it, when you’re sitting at home.
“There were times when I thought I wasn’t sure if I could do it.
“But that [the Dublin win] did a good job of convincing my confidence, as well as the rest of the staff, that we are actually fine, we will be fine.
“I think it’s natural to be suspicious.”
England v Ireland player ratings
DECLAN RICE silenced his Irish critics with a dominant performance in England’s Nations League opener.
Lee Carsley’s players earned him a debut victory as caretaker manager of the Three Lions.
Rice played in the first half when he scored the first goal and then set up England’s second goal.
Jack Grealish doubled England’s lead after Rice set him up 15 minutes later.
Anthony Gordon, however, faded in the match as he was unable to achieve as much success as Grealish.
SunSport’s Charlie Wyett assesses England’s performance against Ireland…
JORDAN PICKFORD – 6
He pushed away a half-decent shot from Sammie Szmodics early in the game, but when England took control he played without stress.
After a difficult few weeks with Everton, he would appreciate this.
TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD – 7
Looked more at home at right-back compared to the disastrous midfield experiment at the Euros.
A fantastic pass in a move that eventually led to the first goal. He must remain at right back for England.
MARC GUEHI – 7
He enjoyed decent Euros and moved to the right side of central defense as John Stones was named on the bench.
He looks more and more like a top defender.
HARRY MAGUIRE – 7
He was left dejected after failing to make the Euro 2024 squad, but enjoyed a decent start with Manchester United and looked solid here.
When he is not in the team, England miss his presence in the air. 7
LEVI COLWILL – 7
Second appearance for England and was deployed at left back.
Unlike the Euros, England have a much better balance in defense with a natural left foot in this position. 7
DECLAN RICE – 9
Enjoyed an absolute storm in what could have been a difficult afternoon.
Booed every time he touched the ball, the former Ireland international silenced the boisterous home fans with a brilliant finish, although he refused to celebrate.
He then set up another for Grealish.
KOBBIE MAINOO – 7
It fits Carsley’s style of play perfectly. Some of his passing was excellent, particularly in the final third of the pitch, and that included his part in the outstanding second goal.
BUKAYO SAKA – 7
He is enjoying a great start to the season with Arsenal – he was nominated for their player of the month – and played with a lot of confidence here.
He participated in the second goal.
JACK GREALISH – 8
Left out of the Euro squad but loved every minute of it.
A decent finish for 2-0 and, unlike Rice, she celebrated in front of the visiting fans by raising both arms in triumph.
ANTHONY GORDON – 6
It looked really lively early on, but it faded.
He should have given England the lead when he went through, but was lucky that seconds later Rice headed his shot into the corner. 6
HARRY KANE – 6
I missed the header and despite working hard, I didn’t really have that many chances despite England having so much possession.
SubsGibbs-White (for Grealish 77 mins) 6, Gomes (for Mainoo 77) 6, Eze (for Gordon 77 mins) 6, Bowen (for Kane 84 mins) 6, Stones (for Maguire 85) 6.
Unused substitutes: Henderson, Pope, Lewis, Gallagher, Livramento, Konsa, Madueke.
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