Life under Lee Carsley has begun swimmingly for England, who breezed past the Republic of Ireland in their Nations League opener.
Plenty of pre-match drama encountered the interim boss, who represented Ireland as a player, amid his promise to not sing God Save the King.
But by the time referee blew the whistle to start the game, any stress Carsley may have felt will have been alleviated with his England side strolling to a 2-0 victory.
They were 2-0 up at half time with goals ironically being scored by former Ireland international Declan Rice as well as former Ireland youth player Jack Grealish.
The second half was far less eventful with England content to sit on their two-goal lead.
Next up for England is a Wembley date with Finland on Tuesday night, and while preparations will be underway for that match, Carsley will surely allow himself time to relax as he celebrates winning his first game in charge of the senior side.
But which of Carsley’s players impressed on the field? talkSPORT’s Adrian Durham gives his marks out of ten for the England stars.
‘Showed respect’
A chorus of boos greeted Rice, who made three appearances for Ireland before opting to play for England back in 2019, on Saturday afternoon.
And it had to be him who broke the deadlock, sweeping the ball past Caoimhin Kelleher and into the top right-hand corner.
But instead of lauding it against the boo boys, Rice decided not to celebrate out of respect for his former international team.
After giving Rice an 8/10, Durham said: “He scored, showed respect and looked the part.”
‘Terrific to terrible’
England looked electric at points in the first half before the clash petered out in the second half.
So Anthony Gordon’s personal performance perhaps represents how things went for England as a team the best.
Gordon made a number of darting runs in the first half and almost gave England the lead before Rice scored.
But the Newcastle star faded after the break, meaning Durham gave him a 7/10.
Durham said: “He was terrific in the first half but terrible in the second half.”
‘Lost control’
A winning start, but the questions over whether Carsley is the man to lead the Three Lions going forward.
England outclassed Ireland in the first half and were good value for their 2-0 lead at half time.
After the break they barely threatened Kelleher and almost let the Irish back in with sloppy pieces of play leading to half chances for their opponents.
On Carsley, who was given a 6/10, Durham said: “It was a terrific first half against a poor side.
“But he didn’t respond to the Ireland substitutes quick enough and England lost control in the second half.”
Adrian Durham’s England player ratings
Jordan Pickford – 7
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7
Marc Guehi – 8
Harry Maguire – 7
Levi Colwill – 6
Declan Rice – 8
Kobbie Mainoo – 7
Jack Grealish – 8
Bukayo Saka – 6
Harry Kane – 6
Anthony Gordon – 7
Lee Carsley – 6
SUB: Morgan Gibbs-White – N/A
SUB: Angel Gomes – N/A
SUB: Eberechi Eze – N/A
SUB: John Stones – N/A
SUB: Jarrod Bowen – N/A
News Summary:
- Declan Rice and Jack Grealish get 8/10 and England man goes from ‘terrific to terrible’ as questions over Lee Carsley remain
- Check all news and articles from the latest Football updates.