Declan Rice and Jack Grealish returned to haunt the Republic of Ireland as Lee Carsley’s first match as interim England manager ended in a comfortable Nations League victory in Dublin.
Saturday’s sold-out Aviva Stadium clash marked the start of new eras for both teams as Heimir Hallgrimsson led the hosts against a nation beginning life after Gareth Southgate.
England impressed in their first match since losing July’s Euro 2024 final, with Rice and Grealish setting Carsley on course for an impressive 2-0 win over the nation he played for 40 times as a player.
— England (@England) September 7, 2024
The interim boss stayed silent during ‘God Save the King’, just as he had indicated he would before the match against the country his goalscorers previously represented.
Rice won three senior caps for the Republic and fired England into an early lead, which former Ireland Under-21 international Grealish added to during a one-sided first half.
“Two nil to the Irish boys” sung visiting fans on an afternoon when Hallgrimsson’s hosts never looked like getting back into it as Carsley enjoyed a winning start to life in the Nations League second tier.
There was a crackling atmosphere before kick-off at the Aviva Stadium, where England’s interim boss accidentally took a seat in the wrong dugout before kick-off.
❗️🚨 Manager in the wrong dugout alert! 🚨❗️ pic.twitter.com/5qAEH8dYaS
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) September 7, 2024
Irish fans ferociously booed a rendition of ‘God Save the King’, punctuated by cries of “no surrender” from some travelling supporters, before they bellowed out their own anthem.
Rice and Grealish felt the heat from the outset on their return to the Emerald Isle, where Jayson Molumby had a great chance to score a third-minute opener.
Robbie Brady swung in a corner that took a slight touch before the midfielder headed over at the far post, with England captain Harry Kane responding by heading over a chance of his own.
Sammie Szmodics was denied during a lively encounter, but England went ahead after 11 minutes as Trent Alexander-Arnold sensationally played Anthony Gordon in behind.
The forward struck straight at Caoimhin Kelleher but kept the move alive, eventually playing the ball across for Kane to get away a shot that was blocked, the ball falling for Rice to rifle into the top right-hand corner.
The Arsenal midfielder held his hands up after a goal that led to some England chants of “he’s one of our own”.
Kelleher prevented Kane from making things worse, with rival fans trading some unsavoury chants as dominant England patiently probed, leading to a second goal in the 26th minute.
Rice was heavily involved in a brilliant passing move that ended with him cutting the ball back for Grealish to sweep home past the statuesque Kelleher in front of the England support.
The Manchester City playmaker jumped and punched the air – quite the contrast to Rice’s celebration.
That gut punch took the edge off the hostile atmosphere, although the way Hallgrimsson’s side struggled to get a grip on proceedings also had an impact on the mood.
Kane repeatedly threatened to add to Ireland’s misery before the break, from which England returned continuing to dominate possession without having to deal with much in return.
There was a blow for the hosts as captain Seamus Coleman limped off, but the Republic responded well as Szmodics went close before Molumby lifted over.
Those opportunities increased the volume, as did the sight of Rice on the deck in pain as Gordon was stopped.
Grealish trotted off to a cacophony of boos as Carsley turned to his bench, with Morgan Gibbs-White and Angel Gomes coming on for their England debuts.
Kasey McAteer had come on for his Republic bow shortly before as Hallgrimsson continued to make alterations of his own.
Jarrod Bowen and Eberechi Eze had efforts to add gloss to the scoreline, but Carsley will no doubt be pleased with a winning start to life as interim England boss.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Nuno and his 2nd manager of the month award milk Mbappe We're so back Bookies headquarters after the AC Milan red card Man City fans at HT vs Man City fans at FT "What a week, huh?""Gaffer, it's Wednesday." Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, FootballLaughss)...
Neymar has confirmed he will return to his boyhood club, Santos, as he looks to recover from an ACL injury that has heavily disrupted his career in recent seasons.In an emotive post on Instagram, Neymar said that re-joining the Sao Paulo-based side that he left for Barcelona in 2013 was "like going back in time," describing it as the perfect place to regain his form and fitness."Only a club like S...
Aston Villa's Jhon Duran is expected to fly to the Gulf state on Friday to complete a £64m move to join Cristiano Ronaldo in Riyadh.Al-Nassr are interested in signing Mateo KovacicJhon Duran is expected to complete a £64m move to the clubBrighton's Kaoru Mitoma is also a target of the Saudi sideThe Saudi Pro League side also lodged a £54m bid for Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma.Brighton rej...
Tottenham Hotspur have had a €60 million ($62.5m) offer accepted by Bayern Munich on Thursday for their French forward Mathys Tel, sources have told ESPN.Tel, 19, has decided to leave the German side and is attracting a lot of interest from English clubs.Bayern wanted €60m for the France under-21 international and Spurs have become the first team to agree a deal with the Bavarian giant...
Ramos in advanced talks over free transfer to Mexican clubFormer Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos is reportedly in discussions with Mexican club Monterrey regarding a possible transfer.Dorgu to complete €35m Man Utd move as medical scheduledLecce star Patrick Dorgu is reportedly set to fly to England ahead of a medical and a €35 million move to Manchester United.Neymar sends emotional ...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Amara Nallo Debut Bournemouth this season (LIV next) true 18 matches at once, it's just too much. Speed describing how Ronaldo smells like in his stream:"You could smell his aura. He smells like a GOAT." lol Juventus Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Just toon it, trollfootball, The Football Arena, AZR Organization)...
Manchester United have plenty of business to tie up before Monday’s transfer deadline, with Patrick Dorgu closing in on a move to Old Trafford. Marcus Rashford appears to be heading for the exit after facing the wrath of Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim, while Alejandro Garnacho could also be set to depart.Chelsea are in the mix for new signings and could rival Napoli for Garnacho. The Blues are...
Marcus Rashford could be at the center of a deadline-day transfer as Manchester United have made him available. Man Utd star Rashford could be set for a deadline day move as the window comes to a closeUnited are asking for £40M for Rashford but are also open to a loan deal, per The Sun. European clubs, including Barcelona, have shown interest, but his £325,000-a-week wages have been a si...
Chelsea’s pursuit of Alejandro Garnacho could be a last-minute scramble late into the winter window – but the club have a contingency plan in place should the Blues fail to secure a Manchester United winger before the transfer deadline, according to reports.The Argentine forward could still leave Old Trafford before February 3, when the window closes, with the club willing to sell him ...
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery said he does not want Ollie Watkins to leave the club amid interest from Arsenal, but said if Jhon Durán completes his move to Al Nassr then it is "good news" for the club as it shows they are doing the right things in terms of developing players.Emery was speaking after Aston Villa secured their spot in the knockout stages of the Champions League following a 4-...
- 1 Kerkez and £83m ace join as Salah signs
- 2 Enzo 'trying to fix romance with childhood sweetheart'
- 3 'exciting' Betis on signing Man Utd flop
- 4 Napoli confirm Garnacho interest
- 5 LaLiga ace Alex Berenguer & model wife ‘have gun pointed at them’
- 6 Kyle Walker’s wife in talks with ITV for HUGE reality show
- 7 Ashley Cole, wife Sharon, Peter Crouch and Abbey Clancy on luxury skiing holiday
- 8 Meet Jude Bellingham's new model WAG
- 9 Atletico Madrid in talks for Arsenal Zinchenko
- 10 Ange Postecoglou gives Tottenham fan death stare in tense tunnel confrontation