UEFA Nations League

AT half-time, debate was raging over the future of England captain Harry Kane.Within six minutes of the restart, Kane had effectively won this match – and this Nations League group – with one masterful pass and a penalty kick.Anthony Gordon scored his first England goalCredit: PAHarry Kane put the Three Lions ahead from the penalty spotCredit: ReutersConor Gallagher tapped in at close range for his first England goalCredit: PAJarrod Bowen broke his England drought with a smart finish from a free-kickCredit: GettyDebutant Taylor Harwood-Bellis even got in on the actionCredit: ReutersAt 31 and with plenty of miles on the clock, Kane isn’t as mobile as he used to be – and during a frustrating opening 45 minutes, he had struggled for a touch of the ball and been driven to distraction.Yet class is permanent and Kane proved as much with one gorgeous pass which teed up Jude Bellingham to win a penalty, reduced Ireland to ten men and handed the England skipper his 69th international goal.Five minutes later, England were 3-0 up and cruising after Anthony Gordon and Conor Gallagher both netted their first goals for the Three Lions with Ireland’s attempt at parking the bus met with Eval Knievel treatment from Lee Carsley’s men.Jarrod Bowen also broke his international duck and Taylor Harwood-Bellis nodded in soon after arriving for his debut as a sub.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLCarsley’s six-match stint as interim boss must now be considered an overall success as England achieved promotion to the top tier of the Nations League with five wins out of six – and two comprehensive victories this week.The idea that incoming England boss Thomas Tuchel might not want Kane as his first-choice starting centre-forward always felt far-fetched.Last year, the German made it his personal mission to sign Kane for Bayern Munich, for whom he has now scored 61 goals in as many appearances.In Athens on Thursday, Kane was dropped for a meaningful match for the first time in living memory as Carsley handed a start to Ollie Watkins, who netted the opener as England scored an impressive 3-0 win.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThat was a decent glimpse of a useful Plan B for Tuchel – the pace of Watkins an entirely different proposition to Kane’s many attributes.But for now, Kane as the No9 is still the obvious Plan A. England need his experience, his nous and his sheer weight of goals.Lee Carsley proud of England’s control in crucial Nations League win over Greece Jude Bellingham was instrumental and produced two brilliant assistsCredit: GettyAs well as a recall for Kane, there was a debut here for Newcastle’s Tino Livramento at right-back but Carsley stayed largely loyal to the side who won so convincingly in Athens on Thursday.There was mutual booing of the national anthems and the usual mass deployment of British soldiers on the Wembley pitch, which must have thrilled the away supporters.At least they wouldn’t have to endure former Ireland players scoring against them this time, after early goals from Declan Rice and Jack Grealish condemned them to a 2-0 defeat in Dublin in September.The boys in green were in fine voice with plenty of ironic cheers for any English mishap – but it was the hosts who were making the running.Noni Madueke was bamboozling his full-back with some early trickery, cutting back for Curtis Jones to have a shot deflected over.And from the resulting corner, Kyle Walker – operating at centre-half – got to the near post and glanced a header onto the roof of the net.Bellingham was producing some eye-pleasing moments but England were labouring to break down the massed Irish defence.On one occasion, Madueke wriggled free only to be confronted by seven Irishmen sardined into the six-yard box.Ireland unravelled after Liam Scales was sent offCredit: GettyGallagher was delighted to open his England accountCredit: GettyThere were occasional Irish counter-attacks – Sammie Szmodics appealing for a penalty after a clumsy Walker challenge.Kane was struggling to get involved and was cleaned out by one heavy challenge from Liam Scales.Madueke then made a wild challenge on Callum O’Dowda, earning himself a booking as well as one from Bellingham for a pointless protest.Kane’s frustrations were exemplified in first-half injury-time, first by him retreating close to his central defenders to collect a pass from Jordan Pickford simply to get involved.But then the England captain got into a tangle with Jayson Molumby, whom he dragged to the floor – with both players cautioned by Belgian ref Erik Lambrechts.Yet in the 51st minute, Kane settled this match with one glorious pass from the left wing which picked out Bellingham, who was upended by Scales.The Celtic defender was handed his second yellow card and Kane despatched the penalty coolly after a deliberate stutter in his run-up.Kane celebrated exuberantly as if remembering Thursday night’s rare snub.Ireland’s reduction in manpower was immediately obvious as Livramento charged down the right and produced a cross which cannoned off two Irish defenders before Gordon steered a volley home for a goal made and finished in Newcastle.The quick-fire third came from a Madueke corner, Marc Guehi soaring at the near post to win a header which was despatched by Gallagher at the back stick, nipping ahead of Bellingham to get the vital touch.Bowen – who has apparently been the subject of a sustained campaign from gobby West Ham fans towards Carsley – then arrived as a sub and scored a beauty with his first touch.A free-kick was played short and Bellingham cut back for Bowen to wallop it home, first-time, from the edge of the area.READ MORE SUN STORIESHarwood-Bellis – whose prospective father-in-law is Roy Keane – then arrived for his debut and promptly added the fifth with a downward header from a glorious Bellingham centre.Bellingham, by the way, had been magnificent again. He is England’s first-choice No10 as surely as Kane is the starting No9.England ratings vs IrelandEngland’s newbies put on a five-star second half performance to hammer ten-man Ireland.No fewer than four young Lions bagged their first international goal during the 5-0 win.Here’s how SunSport’s Tom Barclay rated the England stars at Wembley.Jordan Pickford: 6Matched the great Gordon Banks by reaching 73 caps. But the Everton stopper was pretty much a spectator as Ireland showed little ambition in attack.Tino Livramento: 7Became the seventh player across Carsley’s three England camps to be handed a debut. It was his cross which caused panic in the Irish defence, allowing Gordon to volley home his first England goal. Kyle Walker: 6Played at centre-back in back four for his 93rd cap. Headed an early chance over, had a couple of scares before the break before being withdrawn just after the hour when the game was up for the visitors.Marc Guehi: 7Was a little clumsy with a challenge on Evan Ferguson inside the box before the break, but nothing was given. Set up a first England goal for his best mate Gallagher with a flick-on from a corner during the goal blitz at the start of the second half.Lewis Hall: 7Admitted to nerves before his debut on Thursday but did not seem to have any here on his first start, playing alongside his Newcastle colleagues Livramento and Gordon. Could this be the start of a long England career for one of our few natural left-backs?Conor Gallagher: 8Was given the nod ahead of Angel Gomes for the second successive game and capped it with his first England goal by poking home Guehi’s flick just before the hour. England’s confidence at that point was summed up by Gallagher attempting a rabona.Curtis Jones: 7Tidy, if not hitting the heights of his magnificent debut three days earlier. But overall, another success story of the brief Carsley era which has given Thomas Tuchel plenty more options to consider.Noni Madueke: 7His final ball was not quite there compared to his man-of-the-match performance in Athens. But the Chelsea man still caused Ireland all manner of problems with the explosive way he runs at opponents.Jude Bellingham: 9 STAR MANEffectively had three assists as he won the penalty for Harry Kane’s opener – which led to Scales being sent off – and teed up goals for subs Bowen and Harwood-Bellis. A brilliant display from the Real Madrid superstar. How lucky we are to have him. Anthony Gordon: 7Lovely volley for his first England goal and you could see how much it meant to him with his celebration. Caused Ireland issues with his direct running in a promising display.Harry Kane: 7A ponderous first half led to genuine questions over his suitability to this team… but then he showed why he is still the man with a stunning ball to Bellingham in the build-up to the opener.Stuck away the resulting penalty when Bellingham was tripped for his 69th England goal.SUBS:Taylor Harwood-Bellis (on for Walker, 62): 8Followed up Jones’ feat in Greece of netting on his England debut as he brilliantly headed home Bellingham’s fine cross to make it five.Morgan Rogers (on for Gordon, 74): 7Looked confident when coming on and ready to cause more misery against the tired ten men of Ireland. Would have had an assist had Jarrod Bowen put away his cutback.Dominic Solanke (on for Gallagher, 74): 6Almost diverted in his first England goal from fellow sub Bowen’s cross but was beaten to it, just, by the defender.Jarrod Bowen (on for Madueke, 74): 8Crashed home his first England goal with his first touch, seconds after coming on, to make it 4-0.Angel Gomes (on for Jones, 79): 6Tidied up and looked comfortable again in possession. Booked. More

JUDE BELLINGHAM hailed a former Manchester City star a “legend” after working with him for England.The midfielder seems to be enjoying working alongside former Premier League winner Joleon Lescott.Jude Bellingham reserved praise for one of his England coachesCredit: GettyThe pair appear to have been getting on well in trainingCredit: InstagramBellingham shared a photo of the pair of them in training at St. George’s Park, calling him a legend.However Lescott may not be around for much longer as he only moved up to coach the senior team when Lee Carsley was appointed interim manager, having coached the Under-21s under Carsley.Bellingham was put through his paces by Lescott ahead of England’s Nations League clash with Ireland.The Real Madrid star showed a return to form against Greece on Thursday, helping England to a 3-0 win which puts their fate in their own hands.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLA win over Ireland will see them regain their place in Nations League A following relegation two years ago.Bellingham, 21, was pleased with the win and performance against Greece, and he was full of praise for his team-mates after the match.The Galactico said: “A lot was made of the lads that weren’t here but the lads that were here, who showed up, were amazing.“There would have been a million and one excuses if we hadn’t played well or not got over the line.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSEngland ratings vs Greece as Madueke and Jones steal the show after Kane benchedIT IS difficult to remember an England starting XI which, on paper at least, looked as totally underwhelming as this one.Yet manager-in-waiting Thomas Tuchel, presumably watching the game at his home in Bavaria, will have been hugely encouraged by this performance from what appeared to be a complete mish-mash of a team – and one which was awfully short of experience.Here’s how SunSport’s Tom Barclay rated England’s stars…Jordan Pickford – 8Back in after being dropped for Finland last month – and showed a good response. Great stop to deny Kostas Tsimikas at the near post and alive to danger throughout.Earned his first-ever booking in 72 England caps for time wasting in the first half.Kyle Walker – 7Captain in Harry Kane’s absence and passionately conveyed his side’s frustration to ref Daniel Siebert when Pickford was booked.Moved to centre-back after the break when Ezri Konsa went off.Marc Guehi – 7Another solid performance from the Crystal Palace man who you would think would be a first-choice starter for Thomas Tuchel when the German begins work.Ezri Konsa – 7One of several players targeted by a laser in the crowd, along with Pickford and Belligham.Limped off just before half-time and was replaced by Lewis Hall at the break.Rico Lewis – 7Filled in at left-back over newbie Hall, before moving to the right when the Newcastle man came on.Almost had his first England goal early in the second half but was denied by a fine stop from Hall’s club-mate Odysseas Vlachodimos.Curtis Jones – 9Sparkled on debut in the heart of midfield, not looking overawed in the slightest. Played deeper than he does for Liverpool, but in the same position where he shone for Lee Carsley in England’s triumphant Under-21 Euros last summer.Gorgeous backheel to cap his bow with the third goal.Conor Gallagher – 7Started brightly next to Jones, though gave the ball away a few times after the break. Booked for stopping a quick free-kick early on.Arrived just too late to poke in the rebound from Bellingham’s strike as it had already crossed the line for an own goal.Noni Madueke – 9A blistering first start from the Chelsea man who put real pressure on Bukayo Saka’s place with this performance.He took on his man at every opportunity, at pace, and had excellent end product too, setting up Watkins’ opener and a header for Bellingham which hit the post.Jude Bellingham – 8Some sublime touches and passes from the talisman, including a wonderful ball round the corner to release Madueke in the build-up to the opener.Seemed to thrive with pace all around him and killed off the game with his late strike which hit the post and bounced in off the keeper.Anthony Gordon – 7Provided a threat down the left with his pace and trickery, even if he was outshone by Madueke. A decent display but not one that demanded he start at left wing every game.Ollie Watkins – 7The surprise starter over Harry Kane. He took his early chance well, converting from the edge of the six-yard box.Could have had another when sent clean through but the ball got stuck under his feet.SubsLewis Hall (for Ezri Konsa half-time) – 7Came on at half-time for his debut and did not put a foot wrong.Harry Kane (for Ollie Watkins, 66) – 6Had a curling effort well stopped after exchanging passes with fellow sub Morgan Rogers.Morgan Rogers (for Anthony Gordon, 66) – 8Some exciting touches from the Villa debutant, including one to release Bellingham in the lead-up to the second goal.Jarrod Bowen (for Noni Madueke, 66) – 7Clever nutmeg to free Morgan Gibbs-White, who then teed up Jones.Morgan Gibbs-White (for Gallagher, 79) – 7Cutback for Jones was on the money.Lescott is a big admirer of Bellingham and not just for his football ability, praising his conduct off the pitch.He said: “Jude’s had a huge impact at Real Madrid and that’s incredible to think from a boy who’s come from Birmingham. As a human he’s impressive as well, not just as a footballer, he’s someone you can look up to and admire.ITV ‘do England stars dirty’ as live footage of national anthem singing leaves fans in hysterics”He’s carrying himself well and delivering on the pitch. He understands the game at a level he shouldn’t at his age. Long may it continue for himself and England because he could win the Ballon D’or and that would be a huge thing for England.” More