Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Bellingham praise for the hand of Fod
JUDE HAILS PHIL-GOOD FACTOR IN THREE LIONS STROLL
JUDE BELLINGHAM paid tribute to Phil Foden after his starring role in England’s demolition job on Wales.
Foden scored as England booked their place against Senegal in the last 16 on Sunday with an impressive win over their bitter rivals, with Marcus Rashford also scoring twice.
England fans went from booing Gareth Southgate after the draw with USA last week to singing his name at the final whistle and the feel-good factor returned among the players.
The Three Lions boss was under huge public pressure to play Foden and was rewarded as the Manchester City forward justified his place, as Bellingham praised both scorers.
The England midfielder said: “I’m really pleased for Phil. There has been a lot of pressure on him the last few days, given all the attention, but it just showed how good he is again.
“I think what we saw in the first game was a really good attacking game. In the second game, a defensive game. Here, a bit of both. I’m so happy for Rashford. He was brilliant. When he gets the ball, he’s got that freedom and his end-product is good, too.
“And in a game like this, taking a free-kick like that and the way he delivered put us in a really good position for the rest of the match.”
Bellingham also said that England’s strength in depth and options to make changes was highlighted as Southgate’s changes paid off.
He added: “We have got loads of depth in the attacking areas and whoever comes on always seems to make an impact.
“Whether it is from the start or from the bench, the change of personnel doesn’t really change the style or the performance of the team, which is quite rare, if I’m being honest.”
England’s devastating second-half performance came after Rashford and Foden switched wings and Southgate said: “I thought, in the first half, we controlled the game, but didn’t create enough chances.
“We wanted more thrust and threat to play forward quicker. Once we got the two goals, we knew their spirit was gone, it has been a tough tournament for them.”
On Rashford, he added:
“It’s great for him, he has trained really well. He has been impressive since he came back to us, he could have had a hat-trick. That free-kick is what he is capable of, it’s an incredible strike.
“In moments I thought both of them –
Marcus and Phil – were quiet in the first half, so we switched wings. They responded well and for both to get goals was great.”
Rashford (above), who scored the first with a free-kick and the third with his left foot, said: “We were a bit disappointed after the USA result. I thought we could have played a lot better and it was important to have a good performance the next game. “We defended brilliantly in the first half and it was just about killing the game off early and taking the chances in the game “I fancied a free-kick in the first half, but it was a better position for the second. “I tried to be calm and execute what we’ve done in training.
“At half-time, the manager said we’ve played well, but we need more shots on goal.
“We wanted to work the keeper more and get into dangerous positions, which I thought we were doing in the first half.
“And in the second half we made them count.”
Rashford: We defended brilliantly in the first half and it was just about killing the game off early and the taking all of the chances