Football

LEE CARSLEY sparked fresh confusion over the England manager’s job by appearing to rule himself out  — then back in again minutes later.The interim boss last night claimed the Three Lions deserve a “world-class coach who has won trophies” and that he is “still on the path to that” after England’s 3-1 Nations League win over Finland.Lee Carsley oversaw a 3-1 win over Finland in HelsinkiCredit: ReutersTrent Alexander-Arnold was among the scorers for the Three LionsCredit: GettyBut the 50-year-old Brummie then insisted it was “definitely” wrong to assume he does not want the job permanently.It left fans none the wiser as to whether the former Under-21 boss — who has three wins in four games of a six-match caretaker spell — truly wants the gig full-time.Carsley was first asked at full-time about reports on Saturday that he is not interested in his role being made permanent.He said: “People are always going to try and put their chips on one side.READ MORE ENGLAND NEWS“I’m in the middle. My bosses have made it clear what they need from me. This job deserves a world-class coach who has won trophies and I am still on the path to that.”But when later pushed on whether the permanent role was too soon for him, he said: “Definitely not. I tried to make it as clear as I could.“My remit was for three camps. I’m not part of the process but it deserves a top coach.“The players we have available, we’ve got a real chance of winning.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS“That was the point I was making.”Carsley’s latest cryptic answers came after Thursday’s claim he would “hopefully be going back to the Under-21s” in the wake of the shock 2-1 defeat to Greece.Thomas Tuchel Eyes England Manager Role Amid Man Utd SpeculationEngland player ratings vs FinlandENGLAND secured a commanding 3-1 win over Finland following their horror show at home to GreeceHere’s how SunSport’s Tom Barclay assessed the Three Lions’ stars performances.Dean Henderson – 6Only his second cap after long-time No1 Jordan Pickford was dropped. Not a lot to do, but pretty assured when he was called into action, including a smart, first-half stop to repel a Benjamin Kallman strike – even if the Finn was later flagged offside. Could do little to prevent Finland’s goal.Kyle Walker – 6After the calamity against Greece, it was no surprise to see Lee Carsley turn to his most experienced defender. Now just nine caps shy of a century, Walker was solid. Could have had an assist late on but his cushioned down header was poor.John Stones – 6England’s more conventional system meant the defence was far less exposed – though Carsley’s attacking approach did still see the Finns create chances. Stones made a good early block to deny Kallman after Angel Gomes gave the ball away.Marc Guehi – 6Our best defender in the Euros group stages, Guehi was back in here with Levi Colwill dropping out. Pretty assured for a player who by his own admission has not started the season particularly well for his club.Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7We saw him in midfield at the Euros, and here the Liverpool right-back was shunted to left-back. Looked vulnerable defensively at times but who cares when he produces such quality on the ball – epitomised by his terrific free-kick to kill off this game.Angel Gomes – 8The big success story of the Carsley era, however long it lasts, has been bringing Gomes into the fold. He created Jack Grealish’s opener with a beautiful, flicked-pass round the corner and was excellent in possession – barring one sloppy early pass.Declan Rice – 7Looked far more comfortable with Gomes playing in behind him, as opposed to the one-man defensive operation he was forced to put up against the Greeks. Looked proud as punch after stroking home England’s third from Watkins’ cross.Cole Palmer – 5Played in a more familiar wide right position compared to his central-midfield experiment against Greece. Yet it reduced him to a peripheral figure, adding more questions than answers as to where best to deploy him, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden.Jude Bellingham – 6The Real Madrid superstar played off Harry Kane and had the occasional, exciting link-up with Grealish, but this was not one of his more memorable games overall.Jack Grealish – 8No doubt will be hoping Carsley does get the job full-time as his fellow Brummie seems to appreciate his talents. His composed finish was his second goal in three games under Carsley – doubling his overall haul from 39 caps.Harry Kane – 6Cap 101 for the captain but not one he will remember particularly fondly. He offered the presence the team lacked against Greece when they played with no striker, but did not get much of a sniff in front of goal.SubsNoni Madueke (for Palmer, 69) – 7This game was made for him to make an impact off the bench and he almost teed up Watkins after one fine run but the Finns cleared.Ollie Watkins (for Kane, 69) – 7Low cross for Rice’s third was right on the money.Rico Lewis (for Gomes, 80) – 6Slotted in at centre midfield when coming on and looked busy.Phil Foden (for Bellingham, 80) – 5Embraced the post ruefully after Madueke opted to shoot instead of crossing to him for a tap-in seconds after Finland’s goal. Was marking Arttu Hoskonen when the Finn headed home a consolatio.Conor Gallagher (for Rice, 89) – 6His first appearance under Carsley but too late to make an impact.Lee Carsley – 7His tactical gamble backfired against Greece but he held his hands up and went more conventional here. It paid off as England were relatively comfortable – although his teams have looked defensively vulnerable at times in all four of his games and this was no different. But the three best players, Gomes, Grealish and Alexander-Arnold, were all given starring roles by Carsley when used sparingly or not at all by predecessor Gareth Southgate – and for that, the interim boss should take credit.Last night he pointed to previous caretaker roles at Coventry, Brentford and Birmingham for his reluctance to commit.He said: “In the past when I’ve done this caretaker-interim role, I’ve gone so far down the ‘I don’t want the job’ [road], that I’ve not done the job.“It’s important that I keep an open mind because in that case I’m not being reckless with my decisions, I’m thinking thoroughly about the squad I should pick.“Selection is very difficult, the amount of players I have to leave out.”Carsley, who led the Under-21s to Euros glory last year, said the Greece defeat was “really disappointing” as he is so used to winning with England.He also understood why his enigmatic answers would frustrate fans.The former Everton midfielder said: “I can definitely understand why you would be frustrated by it.“Clarity is what everyone is looking for.Carsley is hoping for clarity on his future as Three Lions bossCredit: RexThe interim manager has three wins from four matches in chargeCredit: PA“I’m constantly saying to John McDermott [FA technical director], ‘Can I have an update? Can I have an update?’“The job is difficult enough as it is.”Angel Gomes revealed that even the players do not know what their interim manager wants.The Lille midfielder, 24, who teed-up Jack Grealish for the opener, said: “It’s difficult to gauge.READ MORE SUN STORIES“He’s very happy and comfortable in coaching for England, whether it’s the first-team or U21s.“But ultimately, we don’t know for the foreseeable.”Thomas Tuchel has been linked with the England jobCredit: Getty More

ANGEL GOMES was the star of the show as England sealed a 3-1 win over Finland.Lee Carsley’s side put in a solid performance as they bounced back from the defeat to Greece.Angel Gomes shone against FinlandCredit: APJack Grealish opened the scoring after a brilliant pass from GomesCredit: GettyCole Palmer struggled in the matchCredit: GettyGrealish made his mark on the game in the first half by slotting home after being found by a brilliant through ball by Angel Gomes.The Manchester City star marked the celebration with a touching gesture to Sasha Attwood just days after the birth of their child.Trent Alexander-Arnold also impressed as he filled in at left-back and even bagged himself his first international goal with a brilliant free-kick.Declan Rice also grabbed himself a goal as he wrapped up the result for England before Arttu Hoskonen grabbed a consolation for the hosts.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLBut it was Gomes who ran the show for the Three Lions with his composed performance in the midfield.Cole Palmer, however, struggled on the other flank to create much for England before he was hooked off in the second half.SunSports’ Tom Barclay has given his ratings for the Three Lions…Dean Henderson – 6Only his second cap after long-time No1 Jordan Pickford was dropped. Not a lot to do, but pretty assured when he was called into action, including a smart, first-half stop to repel a Benjamin Kallman strike – even if the Finn was later flagged offside. Could do little to prevent Finland’s goal.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSKyle Walker – 6After the calamity against Greece, it was no surprise to see Lee Carsley turn to his most experienced defender. Now just nine caps shy of a century, Walker was solid. Could have had an assist late on but his cushioned down header was poor.John Stones – 6England’s more conventional system meant the defence was far less exposed – though Carsley’s attacking approach did still see the Finns create chances. Stones made a good early block to deny Kallman after Angel Gomes gave the ball away.Lee Carsley’s slip of the tongue after Greece nightmare hints he wants England U21s job back and not replace SouthgateTrent Alexander-Arnold scored a stunning free-kickCredit: GettyMarc Guehi – 6Our best defender in the Euros group stages, Guehi was back in here with Levi Colwill dropping out. Pretty assured for a player who by his own admission has not started the season particularly well for his club.Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7We saw him in midfield at the Euros, and here the Liverpool right-back was shunted to left-back. Looked vulnerable defensively at times but who cares when he produces such quality on the ball – epitomised by his terrific free-kick to kill off this game.Angel Gomes – 8The big success story of the Carsley era, however long it lasts, has been bringing Gomes into the fold. He created Jack Grealish’s opener with a beautiful, flicked-pass round the corner and was excellent in possession – barring one sloppy early pass.Declan Rice – 7Declan Rice bagged England’s thirdCredit: GettyLooked far more comfortable with Gomes playing in behind him, as opposed to the one-man defensive operation he was forced to put up against the Greeks. Looked proud as punch after stroking home England’s third from Watkins’ cross.Cole Palmer – 5Played in a more familiar wide right position compared to his central-midfield experiment against Greece. Yet it reduced him to a peripheral figure, adding more questions than answers as to where best to deploy him, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden.Jude Bellingham – 6The Real Madrid superstar played off Harry Kane and had the occasional, exciting link-up with Grealish, but this was not one of his more memorable games overall.Jack Grealish – 8No doubt will be hoping Carsley does get the job full-time as his fellow Brummie seems to appreciate his talents. His composed finish was his second goal in three games under Carsley – doubling his overall haul from 39 caps.Harry Kane – 6Harry Kane made his 101st appearance for EnglandCredit: GettyCap 101 for the captain but not one he will remember particularly fondly. He offered the presence the team lacked against Greece when they played with no striker, but did not get much of a sniff in front of goal.SubsNoni Madueke (for Palmer, 69): 7This game was made for him to make an impact off the bench and he almost teed up Watkins after one fine run but the Finns cleared.Ollie Watkins (for Kane, 69): 7Low cross for Rice’s third was right on the money.Rico Lewis (for Gomes, 80): 6Slotted in at centre midfield when coming on and looked busy.Phil Foden (for Bellingham, 80): 5Embraced the post ruefully after Madueke opted to shoot instead of crossing to him for a tap-in seconds after Finland’s goal. Was marking Arttu Hoskonen when the Finn headed home a consolatio.Conor Gallagher (for Rice, 89): 6His first appearance under Carsley but too late to make an impact.Lee Carsley: 7His tactical gamble backfired against Greece but he held his hands up and went more conventional here.READ MORE SUN STORIESIt paid off as England were relatively comfortable – although his teams have looked defensively vulnerable at times in all four of his games and this was no different.But the three best players, Gomes, Grealish and Alexander-Arnold, were all given starring roles by Carsley when used sparingly or not at all by predecessor Gareth Southgate – and for that, the interim boss should take credit. More

WHATEVER the future for Lee Carsley as England manager – and he is unlikely to last long – there have been some genuine positives.And here in Helsinki’s Olympic Stadium those positives were highlighted as Jack Grealish, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Declan Rice earned England a much-needed Nations League victory. Jack Grealish celebrated becoming a dad by opening the scoringCredit: GettyThe winger slotted the ball home following a clever pass from Angel GomesCredit: RexTrent Alexander-Arnold whipped in a brilliant free-kick from 25 yardsCredit: AFPIt was his fourth England goalCredit: GettyDeclan Rice tapped home from close range to seal victoryCredit: PAAll three of those scorers have benefited from Carsley’s management and after the mayhem of Thursday’s 2-1 defeat by Greece, they restored a sense of order to the national team.Grealish, who became a father for the first time last week, netted the early opener – his second goal of Carsley’s interim reign.Then Alexander-Arnold curled home a delicious free-kick before Rice netted his second goal of this brief “Carsball” era to ensure victory before a late consolation.Carsley seems increasingly unlikely to get – or even actually want – this job on a permanent basis.READ MORE ON ENGLANDBut after his tactical brainstorm against the Greeks, here was a return to calm good sense and a routine win against limited opposition.It was England’s first journey to Helsinki’s historic Olympic Stadium since 2000 – and that journey also came on the back of a Wembley shambles.On that occasion, Kevin Keegan had quit in the toilets of the old national stadium and Howard Wilkinson took charge of a goalless draw here in the Finnish capital.After Thursday’s fiasco against the Greeks, Carsley stayed true to his promise and selected a more conventional team with Harry Kane fit enough to start up front after an ankle injury.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAngel Gomes pulled the strings in midfieldThe interim manager’s decision to drop Jordan Pickford – something Gareth Southgate barely ever did – made sense too after an extremely jittery display against Greece.Dean Henderson was handed his first England start, and his first appearance in four years, with his team-mates kitted out in a Euro 96 shade of grey.Lee Carsley all but rules himself out of England job as interim boss tells FA to hire ‘world class manager’Cole Palmer was not at his bestCarsley’s team began as if hungover from Thursday, Angel Gomes gifting possession deep in his own half and John Stones having to block a Benjamin Kallman shot.Despite that early slip, Gomes soon stepped up. The little Lille man is a neat and tidy midfield anchor who makes a team tick.After Bellingham had a shot deflected wide, Gomes provided a gorgeous assist for Grealish as part of an excellent team move which was by far and away England’s best work of a drab first half.First Grealish located Alexander-Arnold, who had drifted in from his makeshift left-back role into central midfield.The Liverpool man picked out Gomes, who turned two players and provided a sublime outside-of-the-boot pass for Grealish to slot home.It was only the Manchester City man’s fourth goal from 39 caps, but his second in three appearances under Carsley.After bossing possession with relatively little threat, England got sloppy towards the end of the first half and an Alexander-Arnold slip let in Fredrik Jensen, who ought to have punished the visitors but shot over from close range.Palmer, who had been very quiet on the right wing, cut inside and tested Finland keeper Lukas Hradecky early in the second half.But the Finns were still a threat and Jensen squandered another fine chance, with England caught out of shape by a counter-attack, the centre forward spooned one from close range after a centre from Topi KeskinenBellingham and Declan Rice both forced saves from Hradecky but England were hardly tearing up and midway through the second half, Carsley freshened it up by sending on Ollie Watkins for Kane and Noni Madueke for Palmer.Watkins was soon teeing up Madueke, who got his dancing feet to work and caused panic in the Finnish defence with a low centre which Hradecky pushed away.After England won a free-kick on the left, 22 yards out, Alexander-Arnold sized it up and curled his effort deftly into the postage stamp, Hradecky doing well even to get a hand to the ball but incapable of keeping it out.Gomes and Bellingham were withdrawn in favour of Rico Lewis and Phil Foden and the third goal soon arrived.Watkins darted down the left and centred low to the near post where Rice tapped in.READ MORE SUN STORIESWith the job done, the Arsenal man was substituted immediately.Arttu Hoskinen then headed home a consolation from a corner. More