England find the comfort zone to ease past Ireland
ENGLAND have traditionally always had trouble against the Republic of Ireland. But last night, a timely 3-0 win at least briefly healed the scars of a turbulent week.
The 35-year wait for a victory over the team from across the Irish Sea was finally ended, and quite comfortably too, at Wembley.
Gareth Southgate’s shadow side – very few of whom can expect to line up against the world’s No.1 team in Belgium in the Nations League on Sunday – showed their class in dismissing a Republic outfit admittedly without a number of regulars too.
Goals from Harry Maguire, the Three Lions captain for the night, Jadon Sancho and Dominic CalvertLewin ensured a rough week was briefly forgotten.
England had gone into the match on the back of Football Association chairman Greg Clarke’s resignation after his remarks about black, gay and female players.
Combined with an injury to defender Joe Gomez, the buildup could hardly have
been worse. But Southgate’s standins took their chance. Jack Grealish at last won a second start and shone. Nick Pope started in goal. Maguire ensured his last appearance at Wembley, when he was sent off against Denmark last month, was put to one side as he headed in Harry Winks’ fine ball on 18 minutes. Darren Randolph had to deny Maguire
a second but England were on top and a second goal was not far away.
On 31 minutes, Winks and Grealish combined to feed Sancho and the Borussia Dortmund winger cut inside to drill in the second.
Dean Henderson, on for Pope, made his England debut as a halftime substitute and Calvert-Lewin added a penalty on 56 minutes after Cyrus Christie fouled Bukayo Saka.
There was even time for a cameo for Jude Bellingham, 17, as he became England’s third-youngest player.
A night to remember after a week to forget for England.