England secured promotion back to the top tier of the Nations League with a 5-0 rout over 10-man Ireland at Wembley.
The Three Lions scored all five goals in the second half as Lee Carsley’s period as interim manager came to a pleasing end with victory over the nation he represented 40 times as a player.
Harry Kane’s penalty got England up and running, and then four different players scored their first goals for England all in the same game for the first time since 1930.
Anthony Gordon, Conor Gallagher, substitute Jarrod Bowen and debutant Taylor Harwood-Bellis all struck their first goals for their countries to make sure of England’s immediate return to Nations League A.
Dom Smith was at Wembley to rate the England players’ performances…
Jordan Pickford 6
Had very, very little to do all evening.
Tino Livramento 7
A mixed bag in the first half, but by the end this was a very encouraging debut for the right-back. Assisted Newcastle teammate Gordon for the second goal.
Kyle Walker 6
Solid if unspectacular while slotting in at centre-back. Replaced on the hour mark.
Marc Guehi 7
Good showing from the Crystal Palace man, who assisted Gallagher’s goal with a shrewd headed flick-on.
Lewis Hall 7
Strong full debut for the Newcastle man, showing composure on the ball as well as defensive instincts to mop up whenever he was the last man.
Conor Gallagher 8
Left very few blades of grass untouched with a hugely energetic performance, and opened his account for his country by scoring from a second-half corner.
Curtis Jones 7
Has played so well over these two games - his first two for his country. Kept things ticking over in midfield.
Noni Madueke 6
Able to beat players down the right, just as in Athens. At one point tried to shoot through five bodies when slipping the ball through to Kane was the better option. England scored their third from his corner.
Jude Bellingham 7
Involved in a lot of England’s best forays forward and assisted Bowen for England’s fourth.
Anthony Gordon 8
Really lively, particularly in the second half when he scored his first goal for his country with a fine cushioned volley.
Harry Kane 7
Helped the deadlock finally be broken with a line-breaking pass to Bellingham which led to a second-half penalty. Dispatched the spot-kick coolly. Denied a second late on by Caoimhin Kelleher.
Subs:
Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Walker, 62’) 7
Plucked one high ball out of the sky with a superb first touch on his England debut. Then hammered a bullet header into the net to score on debut.
Morgan Rogers (Gordon, 75’) 6
Decent second appearance for the Aston Villa man.
Dominic Solanke (Gallagher, 75’) 6
Had one chance shortly after coming on.
Jarrod Bowen (Madueke, 75’) 7
Scored with his first touch and within seconds of coming on, with a blistering strike which was his first for England. Had further chances too.
Angel Gomes (Jones, 79’) N/A
Not used: Henderson, Trafford, Lewis, Gibbs-White, Quansah, Watkins
