DYNAMITE DOM RISES TO THE OCCASION ON A DREAM DEBUT
BY the time Danny Ings scored with a spectacular overhead kick, this had developed into a very good night for Gareth Southgate’s young England team. Conor Coady had twice as many shots at goal in one match as he had in 156 appearances for Wolves in all competitions — and had scored with half of them. Dominic Calvert-Lewin had become the first Evertonian to score on his debut for England since Fred Pickering in 1964, and only the eighth in history. As that list also includes Dixie Dean and Tommy Lawton, it’s very reasonable company. Yes, it was a friendly but, for Southgate, it was a valuable experience. Those deserving the biggest thanks were Jack Grealish and Kieran Trippier. Grealish for getting kicked with the same regularity he does for Aston Villa, resulting in a second-half free-kick. Trippier for delivering it so perfectly. It helped that Wales’ defence, in particular Chris Mepham, went to sleep, allowing the ball to drop for Coady on the half-volley at the far post. England’s third came after 63 minutes, a corner from Kalvin Phillips met by Tyrone Mings, rising higher than anyone else in the area, and nodding it down to Ings, whose magnificent finish deserved a full house, not this echoing arena. A brilliant save from Wayne Hennessey denied him a second, after 82 minutes. Southgate has never been scared to pick and play the men in form and it paid off here. Calvert-Lewin scored from a superb cross by Grealish. Nick Pope also impressed, given a chance to challenge Jordan Pickford for the No 1 jersey. If the hosts’ initial superiority was hardly a surprise — Wales’ team included Jonny Williams, who plays in League One for Charlton — it was a raw England team, selected as much from necessity as merit. Five players were absent due to Covid breaches — from domestic parties to foreign trysts — making it all the more surprising Southgate entrusted the captaincy to Trippier. The defender is still being investigated for suspicious betting activity around his recent departure from Tottenham, and if found guilty, faces a significant ban. Trippier is a good player, mind, and was part of the opening goal, holding the ball up on the right before feeding it to Grealish, who had drifted into space. His cross was placed between two Welsh defenders at the perfect height for an enterprising striker. Calvert-Lewin anticipated the delivery, getting in between his men and directing it with power past a helpless Hennessey. It made up for a moment after 13 minutes when he was put through one-on-one,
only to be forced wide before delivering a tame finish. England went to sleep after that and Wales could have scored, with better finishing from Kieffer Moore. He pounced on a poor clearing header from Bukayo Saka but snatched at it. The ball came off his shin and bobbled wide. Within four minutes, England took the lead. Wales defender Chris Mepham met a corner from Jonny Williams after 28 minutes, but it was plucked out of the air by Pope. Then Moore was put through and Pope bravely saved at his feet. In doing so, Moore’s knee appeared to catch Pope’s head, the type of collision that once caused a life-threatening injury to Petr Cech.
This time, no harm done. At least not to Pope. Soon after, Moore went down, and received treatment. Then he slumped to the turf again. This time it was over. He limped down the tunnel, replaced by Neco Williams. England were growing in confidence. In the 38th minute, Michael Keane crossed and Coady shot over from a good position. He wouldn’t make that mistake at the second time of asking. This was the least experienced England side since 1976 but they grew into the game. There will no doubt be many changes for the visit of Belgium on Sunday, but Southgate has superior knowledge, and this group are better for the experience.