Michael O’Neill savoured a “special night” after watching his young Northern Ireland side thrash Bulgaria 5-0 in an outstanding display that sent them top of their Nations League group.
Isaac Price stole the show with a hat-trick, crowning it with a stunning strike from the edge of the box, but O’Neill could point to brilliant individual performances all over the pitch as Northern Ireland delivered one of their most entertaining displays in recent memory.
After the frustration of Saturday night’s goalless draw against Belarus in Hungary, when Northern Ireland created chance after chance but could not make them count, everything came together at Windsor Park.
“When you create chances in the game there’s nights when you don’t take them and nights when you do and we were very clinical,” O’Neill said. “But it was more the quality of the play and the nature of the chances again which was most pleasing.
Five-star display from Northern Ireland 🌟#NationsLeague | @NorthernIreland pic.twitter.com/TEdTIJBfU8
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) October 15, 2024
“The attitude of the team was terrific, the intensity and the quality of their play. Everyone was right at the top of their game. As a manager, I’m very proud of the performance.
“The reaction to Saturday is very important. One of the things I’ve been concerned about with such a young team is can they play the second game and how they adapt to play the second game and every answer I got tonight was very positive.”
The 21-year-old Price swept home the opener in the 15th minute and was on hand to lash in another in the 29th minute, but the Standard Liege man’s second-half strike into the top corner was the standout.
“He’s scored five goals now against good opposition,” O’Neill said. “Isaac is still a young player finding his position at club level. There’s things in his game I know he needs to improve and he knows that himself, but he has real high quality and he does demonstrate that.
“Yes we see his running power. But his finishes tonight, for him to be in the position to score takes a real willingness, he’s covered the ground brilliantly for the first two goals and then the third goal is a bit special.”
Price grabbed the match ball but was just one of many standout performers. Shea Charles was superb in midfield alongside Ali McCann, while Dion Charles deserved to see a goal that was ruled out for offside as reward for his own tireless efforts.
Brodie Spencer came in to the team on the left side of defence and excelled, with the third goal coming when his shot struck a post and bounced in off goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov.
“Brodie was brilliant,” O’Neill said. “He kept quiet their most dangerous player, (Kiril) Despodov, and also gave us a huge amount going forward. The third goal, he’s very unlucky that’s not his goal. He’s only 19, Callum (Marshall) is also 19 playing on that side, I thought they were both terrific.”
⚽️⚽️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/tgl9npq8xI
— Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) October 15, 2024
The only negative for Northern Ireland on the night was an injury to Eoin Toal, who went to hospital with concussion after a collision with Martin Minchev – a penalty was given, somewhat harshly, but Despodov struck the crossbar.
“It’s a special night for me,” O’Neill added. “I’m very proud of the performance. We had massive highs in the past with the previous team, getting to a major tournament. This is a game at a different level of international competition and we have to be mindful of that.
“Where I look with this group is very different. I think there’s real capacity to develop this team further. We’re in the early building stages of it because the players will improve.
“This is just a proud night for me as a manager and for the players.”
[(Sanfrecce Hiroshima) Strength]: 1. Sanfrecce Hiroshima have achieved 14 wins, 4 draws and 8 losses in the league so far this season. They have scored 30 goals and conceded 18 goals in 26 league matches, and currently rank 5th in the league standings. The team will play at home in this game and have a strong desire to win.2. Naoto Arai, the main defender of Sanfrecce Hiroshima, has performed stea...
[(Rangers F.C.) Strength]: 1. Rangers F.C. beat Alloa Athletic 4-2 in the last game, avoiding a losing streak. They have a good adjusting ability.2. Rangers F.C. eliminated FC Viktoria Plzen 4-2 on aggregate in the last round of the cup and advanced.3. Rangers F.C. scored 10 goals in the last 5 games with a stable offense, averaging 2 goals per game.4. Rangers F.C. kept unbeaten in the last 5 home...
[(Real Madrid CF) Strength]: 1. Real Madrid CF finished 2nd last season and hope to regain the La Liga title this season. This summer, the team boosted their squad strength. Thus, they are motivated to secure the first win in this opener at home.2. Real Madrid CF's two veteran stalwarts, Modric and Lucas Vazquez, have departed one after another. During the offseason, the club signed Trent Alexande...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. What should we do, guys? EPL 1st Wek !! Sesko vs Gyokeres lastnight They must communicate using sign language… Arsenal fans for the 6th year in a row Chelsea dropped points ? Chelsea really do sign anyone these days...Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball, FootballLaughss, NoContextChe1)...
Liverpool cool Rodrygo interest after Chiesa's goal heroicsLiverpool have been linked with Rodrygo amid reports he is free to leave Madrid this summer. But after Federico Chiesa came off the bench to score in the Reds' 4-2 win over Bournemouth on Friday, The Mirror states that the Italian will stay at Anfield and a Rodrygo pursuit is unlikely.Palace line-up move for Eze replacement from PL rivalsS...
Chelsea Open to Loaning Out Raheem Sterling Again After Arsenal StrugglesChelsea are reportedly prepared to send Raheem Sterling out on loan once more with permanent transfer options dwindling, following the winger’s underwhelming stint at Arsenal.According to The Telegraph, Chelsea are increasingly willing to let the 30-year-old leave on loan again following his disappointing spell at Arsen...
DONE DEAL: Bournemouth Confirm Signing of Ben Doak From LiverpoolBournemouth have officially confirmed the signing of highly rated winger Ben Doak from Liverpool.The 19-year-old has left his boyhood club to join Bournemouth for a reported fee of 325 million, signing a five-year deal.Doak impressed during his loan spell with Championship side Middlesbrough last season, scoring three goals and provi...
Brentford RAISE Asking Price for Newcastle United Target Yoane WissaBrentford have reportedly raised their asking price for Yoane Wissa with Newcastle United interested in signing the striker this summer.Newcastle are understood to be interested in signing the 28-year-old as speculation surrounds the future of Alexander Isak.According to The Standard, Brentford have made a potential deal harder by...
Chelsea Transfer Issues Stall Alejandro Garnacho Signing Amid Nkunku Exit DelaysChelsea’s pursuit of Alejandro Garnacho is reportedly being held up due to the club not yet finding a permanent home for Christopher Nkunku.According to The Sun, Chelsea’s ‘steep’ asking price for the 27-year-old is stopping them from making more signings this summer.It’s understood that E...
Crystal Palace Eye Shock Move for Wolves Star as Tottenham Close in Eberechi EzeCrystal Palace are reportedly exploring a surprise move for Wolves player Hwang Hee-chan as Tottenham edge closer to securing Eberechi Eze.According to Sky Sport CH, Tottenham are expected to have their 360 million bid for the 27-year-old accepted by Crystal Palace.Despite the speculation surrounding his future, Eze fe...
- 1 Brentford Agree Deal to Sign Dango Ouattara From Bournemouth
- 2 TIPS - Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas VS Liga Deportiva Universitaria
- 3 TIPS - Villarreal VS Real Oviedo
- 4 ngland cricket legend’s granddaughter stuns in bikini
- 5 Lamela explains retirement decision: It started 11 years ago...
- 6 Estevao Willian set for 'key' Chelsea role after debut vs Palace
- 7 TIPS - Club Necaxa VS Club Leon
- 8 Emotional Arne Slot admits he had wanted to bring late Diogo Jota on as a substitute in Liverpool's dramatic victory over Bournemouth
- 9 Benjamin Sesko vs Viktor Gyokeres: Man Utd-Arsenal showdown sets early stage for big-money No.9s to show the Premier League what they can offer
- 10 TIPS - Cambuur Leeuwarden VS FC Oss