Tuesday, December 3, 2024

England player ratings as Three Lions rout Republic of Ireland after red card

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Anthony Gordon scored England’s second at Wembley (Picture: Getty Images)

England overcame an initially stubborn Republic of Ireland side thanks to a wild six-minute burst of three goals in the second half at Wembley which helped them to a 5-0 win.

The Three Lions were frustrated in the first half as the Irish were very well organised and sat deep, keeping their hosts out.

However, it all went wrong for the men in green early in the second half as Liam Scales was shown a second yellow card and gave away a penalty for a trip on Jude Bellingham.

Harry Kane scored from the spot and with their opponents down to 10, England went for the throat as Anthony Gordon and Conor Gallagher made it 3-0 by 58 minutes.

Substitutes Jarrod Bowen and Taylor Harwood-Bellis completed a dream second half for Lee Carsley as he signed off as interim manager in some style.

England were good in the second half, but Ireland certainly crumbled after the red card, going from resolute to ragged.

Here’s how the England players performed in the big win over Ireland.

Had very little to do as Ireland posed little threat going forward, with just one shot on goal. The Everton goalkeeper won his 73rd cap, going level with the legendary Gordon Banks.

Tino Livramento – 7

England v Republic of Ireland - UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League B Group B2
Tino Livramento made his England debut on Sunday (Picture: Getty Images)

The Newcastle full-back was making his England debut and did little wrong, although he didn’t have to deal with much in terms of his defending. Got forward well and his cross eventually set-up Gordon’s goal.

Kyle Walker – 7

Did not have an enormous amount to do at centre-back, but did marshall the defence well as far as he had to. By a long way the most experienced at the back and his know-how will have helped Livramento next to him on debut.

Marc Guehi – 7

Similarly little to do at the back but made his presence felt in the opposition’s penalty box as he flicked on a Noni Madueke corner for Gallagher to find the back of the net. The Crystal Palace man continues to look extremely comfortable in an England shirt.

Lewis Hall – 7

Appears to have quickly established himself as an option for England at left-back, a position they have struggled to fill given Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell’s injury issues. The Newcastle full-back is very neat and tidy and a decent threat going forward.

Conor Gallagher – 7

England v Republic of Ireland - UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League B Group B2
Conor Gallagher beat Jude Bellingham to poke home England’s third (Picture: Getty Images)

Never stops running and got his reward as he prodded home England’s third goal from a Marc Guehi flick-on. Brings great energy, as always.

Curtis Jones – 6

Always industrious and neat, but couldn’t really have much influence or impact on the game. Didn’t have much to do defensively and largely just had to give it to the more creative players.

Jude Bellingham – 8

Really did work hard to make inroads during the first half, popping up across the front line but couldn’t unlock the door. However, he did in the second half as he won the penalty which began the deluge of goals. The Real Madrid superstar put in an absolutely delicious cross for Harwood-Bellis to nod in.

Noni Madueke – 6

England v Republic of Ireland - UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League B Group B2
Noni Madueke was a threat on the right wing for the Three Lions (Picture: Getty Images)

The Chelsea winger certainly looks threatening, with great pace and trickery, but the actual end product is not forthcoming that often. The 22-year-old will be a great option to throw on from the bench for England, but he hasn’t really demanded a place in the starting XI.

Anthony Gordon – 7

Took his goal really well – his first for his country – as he pounced on a pretty poor cross which bobbled up to him and he volleyed home. He struggled in the first-half to break down a determined defence and achieve much penetration at all.

Harry Kane – 8

England v Republic of Ireland - UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League B Group B2
Harry Kane opened the scoring for England (Picture: Getty Images)

A thankless task as the central striker against a low block in the first half but as the game opened up in the second he looked superb. The captain was pinging the ball about sensationally, especially with the ball to Bellingham which led to the penalty. That spot-kick was his 69th goal for England.

Substitutes

Taylor Harwood-Bellis – 8. Dreamy debut for the Southampton defender as he scored a head from a brilliant Bellingham cross.

Jarrod Bowen – 8. Scored a matter of seconds after coming on as his first time shot flew through a crowd of players and into the back of the net.

Dominic Solanke – 6

Morgan Rogers – 6

Angel Gomes – 6

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