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Two England stars get 9/10 ratings as Saka warned he has 'serious competition'

talksport.com, 17 November 2024, 19:28
Lee Carlsey has signed off his interim stint as England boss in style.

The Three Lions tore a ten-man Republic of Ireland apart in an historic 5-0 victory at Wembley.

It proved to be a second-half onslaught from England as a penalty from Harry Kane in the 53rd minute opened the floodgates.

Anthony Gordon, Conor Gallagher, Jarrod Bowen and debutante Taylor Harwood-Bellis rounded off the rout in a blistering 26-minute period.

The 5-0 thumping also secured England's return to League A in the Nations League.

It means Greece, who finished equal in their group with England on 15 points but had an inferior goal difference, will go into a play-off against one of the third-placed League A teams.

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Here, talkSPORT's Adrian Durham rates how every England star, and Carsley, got on in their five-star performance against Ireland.

'Feels so safe with him'

We begin with goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who received a 7/10 rating given he 'had virtually nothing to do' due to Ireland's lack of attacking potency.

Debutante Tino Livramento had a 'frustrating' first half but showed plenty of promise going forward and tracking back as he also earned a 7/10 rating.

England stalwart Kyle Walker received a 6/10 as his best moment came when he stopped Ireland's Sammie Szmodics.

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However, Durham reserved special praise for Marc Guehi.

Durham 'feels so safe' when the Crystal Palace captain is at the back for England and awarded him with an impressive 8/10, as the centre-back comfortably dealt with any danger that came his way.

'Saka has serious competition'

Curtis Jones was 'quieter' than his impressive midweek international debut against Greece but still turned in a 'good' performance.

Durham also praised Gallagher, who was on the scoresheet and attempted an audacious rabona attempt from the edge of the box in an 8/10 display.

But it was Chelsea's Noni Madueke who drew Durham's admiration.

talkSPORT host slams idea of Harry Kane being stripped of England captaincy

In an 'excellent' display, Durham believes Madueke's performance proves 'Bukayo Saka has serious competition' for the next England camp.

Although Madueke may not have had a goal to show for his efforts, his determination to make things happen in the final third played a vital contribution to England's win as Durham rated him 9/10.

'Terrific'

Talismanic midfielder Jude Bellingham may have picked up a 'silly booking' in the first half for dissent, but he showed why he's the third-best player in the world with a 'great' pass for England's fifth.

Durham rated the Real Madrid ace 8/10.

Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon, who came into camp with a question mark over his fitness, did not look hindered at all in what Durham labelled as 'another terrific display' and awarded him a 8/10 rating.

As for skipper Harry Kane, Durham lamented his 'poor first half'.

However, Kane came back out firing for the second half and it was a beautiful pass to Bellingham that ultimately 'changed the game' in a 9/10 display.

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