Gareth Southgate picked a very young but strong line-up for England’s friendly against Ireland last night, which saw Bukayo Saka line up alongside rising stars like Jack Grealish, Calvert-Lewin, Mason Mount and Jadon Sancho.
Calvert-Lewin and Jadon Sancho got on the scoresheet along with Harry Maguire, but it was Arsenal’s very own Bukayo Sake that got the Man Of The Match award for his work down the flank. Southgate said on TV after the game: “We used the ball very well, created a lot of chances. We could have been more comfortable if we had taken some of those chances but overall very pleased.
“I thought we were a bit slow at the start but it is understandable because it is a team that has not worked together a lot. But over time our attack down the wings was good.”
Your @bt_uk Player of the Match…
Congratulations, @BukayoSaka87! 👏 pic.twitter.com/FwYyTkYvM5
— England (@England) November 12, 2020
This was England’s first win over Ireland in a friendly since 1985, and the team are looking good ahead of next summers Euros.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles also got a half hour run out as well, replacing Mings, and tonight we will see Eddie Nketiah hopefully add to his goal tally as England U21s take on Andorra..
Congrats to Saka, I hope he continues to grow
I wish I knew the position he operated from in the game.
He improved on his debut performance, but let’s not get carried away, with one of two exceptions, the Irish team was poor.He was operating as a left WB behind Grealish, and as the game went on they were linking together pretty well.AMN did not let the team down when he came on as RWB where he ought to be performing for Arsenal if Arteta persists with a back three set up.
To add to Granddad’s comment, he played more advanced role than at arsenal I’d say. Attacks down his side were mainly dealt with by Mings at LCB so he had a lot more freedom to attack. He really grew as the game went on.
AMN had a lot of joy down the right but his final ball was very hit or miss.
Good game from the boys.