Lee Carsley England reign starts with win over Ireland as Jack Grealish and Declan Rice silence boos

Lee Carsley England reign starts with win over Ireland as Jack Grealish and Declan Rice silence boos
Callum Vurley

By Callum Vurley


Published: 07/09/2024

- 18:58

Updated: 07/09/2024

- 19:52

England downed the Republic of Ireland 2-0 at the Aviva Stadium

England claimed a 2-0 win over the Republic of Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Lee Carsley's first game in charge.

And the goalscorers could not be more apt - with former Irish internationals Declan Rice and Jack Grealish getting on the scoresheet.


Carsley infuriated England fans before kick-off by insisting he would not sing God Save The King before kick-off.

And the Aviva Stadium was a cauldron of noise during the national anthem - but the Irish fans in the stadium were shut up soon after when Rice opened the scoring after 11 minutes.

England

Jack Grealish and Declan Rice were on the scoresheet for England

PA

The Arsenal midfielder, who played three times for the Emerald Isle before switching allegiance to England, had been booed throughout the contest and he even refused to celebrate.

But when Grealish, who also played for the Republic of Ireland youth teams, doubled the lead after 26 minutes - he was not quite as modest.

The Manchester City man, who was also being roundly booed by the home fans, jolted in celebration after tucking in a brilliantly worked move by England, ironically set up by Rice.

He raced towards the travelling England fans and jumped in the air and punched in jubilation.

In a pointed message to the boo boys, he put his fingers in his ears to shut out the noise.

JUST IN: Jermaine Jenas explicit texts revealed including nude photos and bikini pic requests

England remained in control throughout the contest with the Irish offering little going forward.

As the clocked ticked down, Carsley gave Morgan Gibbs-White and Angel Gomes their England debuts after they received their first call-ups to the squad.

The Three Lions interim coach could not have hoped for a better start to life in the dugout.

The ex-Birmingham and Everton star has the best chance to impress the FA to convince them over a permanent slot as England boss.

READ MORE: Lee Carsley accused of 'losing the country' after refusing to sing national anthem

Lee Carsley

Lee Carsley oversaw a victory in his first match in charge of England

PA

Eddie Howe and Graham Potter are other options being considered but Carsley has the advantage of being in the hotseat currently, and the FA would have been impressed with what they saw.

The Three Lions were comfortable in possession, carved out some brilliant chances and pressed excellently from the first minute to the last.

LATEST SPORTS NEWS:

Jack Grealish

Jack Grealish gave the England fans something to cheer in Dublin

PA

Carsley will have another opportunity to impress in the dugout on Tuesday night when England host Finland in another Nations League clash at Wembley.

With England fans desperate for someone to take them further than Gareth Southgate, Carsley might be the man - but he might have to learn the words to the national anthem first.

You may like