AT first glance, it seemed like England had more mascots than normal when the teams lined up for their 2-0 win over Finland.
Harry Kane had a couple of his children on the pitch to mark his 100th cap but even so, there still seemed to be too many kids out there.
On closer inspection, it was Angel Gomes, England’s new midfield hope. Officially, he stands at 5ft 6 in but even that looks debatable.
Interim manager Lee Carsley clearly believes that good things come in small packages.
Rico Lewis, who also enjoyed a decent second senior appearance, is also an inch taller than Gomes but his hair gives him a height boost.
While Gomes looks tiny out there in the centre of the pitch, it is still a refreshing sight when you consider an increasing number of managers clearly believe every player has to be 6ft.
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The 24-year-old is the same height as former Chelsea and Leicester midfielder N’Golo Kante and there are obvious similarities in their style of play.
England have been dying for a player like him. After an encouraging cameo against Ireland, Gomes, who came through the ranks at Manchester United, delivered a smooth and composed performance.
While his inclusion was a surprise, we will certainly be seeing a lot of him over the next couple of months.
You can see why he stood out in every age group in terms of his touch, control and the way he receives and moves the ball with his back to goal.
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England ratings vs Finland: Kane bags double on his big day… but he’s not the Three Lions’ star man
TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD showed his brilliance as Harry Kane’s brace saw England beat Finland.
Interim boss Lee Carsley maintained his 100 per cent win record in charge of England.
SunSports Tom Barclay has given their ratings of the England players…
Jordan Pickford – 6
Had nothing to do.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – STAR MAN 9
England’s best player as he supplied some beautiful balls from deep that on another day would have led to a glut of assists.
He did get one in the end, although that was more thanks to Harry Kane’s lethal finishing.
Ezri Konsa – 6
Showed his ability on the ball with a super ball through for Bukayo Saka on the half hour.
Twisted his ankle early in the second half, surprisingly played on before being replaced on the hour.
John Stones – 6
Played at left-sided centre-back before shifting when Levi Colwill came on.
Solid though not much to deal with. Now 19 short of 100 caps.
Rico Lewis – 7
In the right place to snuff out early danger from ex-Norwich man Teemu Pukki.
Came close to a goal on his second England cap when prodding wide after the break.
Declan Rice – 5
Lost possession to give Finland their one and only big chance which Topi Kesinen should have squared to Pukki, but instead fired wildly over.
Angel Gomes – 7
Wanted the ball from the off, just like Lee Carsley thought he would. Deliciously drilled cross-field ball to Alexander-Arnold early doors showed his range.
Bukayo Saka – 7
Almost scored and almost assisted in a lively display.
Unlucky that Kane was millimetres offside after the centurion had headed home the Arsenal man’s wicked delivery.
Jack Grealish – 7
Enjoyed being in the heart of the action at No10 again, as he did on Saturday against the Republic of Ireland.
Carsley clearly likes him – it will be fascinating to see what happens when Mssrs Bellingham, Foden and Palmer all return.
Anthony Gordon – 7
Caused problems down the left with his rapid pace – how we needed some of that in the Euros.
But did not have on his shooting boots as he fluffed a decent chance early in the second half.
Harry Kane – 8
Two blistering finishes took the centurion to an astonishing 69 goals in 100 caps.
Was denied the chance of a hat-trick in front of his family when subbed off to a standing ovation for the final ten.
Kane said he fancies his chances of reaching a ton of international goals – and it does not seem fanciful.
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Levi Colwill (on for Konsa, 61) – 6
Next to no threat from Finland by the time he came on.
Eberechi Eze (on for Gordon, 66) – 6
Raced on to yet another special Trent pass but could not loop it over the keeper.
Noni Madueke (on for Saka, 66) – 7
Looked to make an impact every time he got the ball on debut. Excellent one-two with Trent saw the Chelsea man tee up Kane’s second.
Marc Guehi (on for Stones, 80) – 6
As with Colwill, little to do.
Jarrod Bowen (on for Kane, 81) – 6
Played up top after Kane went off for the final minutes, as he has done for West Ham.
Gomes saw plenty of the ball at Wembley, particularly in the first half, and at no point was he looking for the safe option of passing sideways.
He was always looking to try the risky pass but he was making it look simple.
The Lille midfielder set up a decent chance for Kane and then delivered a wonderful pass to Bukayo Saka but his cross was deflected for a corner.
While Gomes is also small in build, he still puts his foot in. He tackled Teemu Pukki to cheers from the home crowd and then won the ball to put himself clean through but Matti Peltola threw himself into the air to earn a foul.
Gomes’ performance will earn him further matches against Greece at Wembley next month along with Finland away three days later.
But a true test will only come when England face a better team and have much less possession.
Only then will we see what Gomes is like without the ball and whether he is able to protect the defence well enough.
Kobbie Mainoo, who has played in a similar position to Gomes for England, has also delivered some special performances but there have been times – including the final against Spain – when he has found himself being bypassed.
While his inclusion was a surprise, we will certainly be seeing a lot of him over the next couple of months.
Although his preferred position is as a no.10, maybe Gomes could be that player to dominate games in a deeper role like Rodri does for Manchester City and Spain.
Carsley’s travelling over the next few weeks will not be restricted to Premier League games.
He will also head to Germany to see Kane at Bayern Munich and rising star Jamie Bynoe-Gittens at Dortmund.
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In Madrid, there is Jude Bellingham and Conor Gallagher while Carsley has also indicated that he may travel to Saudi Arabia to watch Ivan Toney.
But most of all, you get the impression Carsley will be heading to northern France to watch Gomes. And in the future, we will be seeing a lot more of him.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
