Lee Carsley might be getting demoted.
But at least he got England promoted – to finish his reign as caretaker manager on a high at Wembley. Three goals in five second half minutes breathed life into a suffocating contest, to help seal a comfortable win which led England back into the top tier of the Nations League.
Incoming boss Thomas Tuchel couldn’t be bothered to turn up to watch. But when he does get to work he will discover a squad high on confidence and including some fresh talent with vital international experience under their belts.
Harry Kane scored his 69th England goal from the spot, before Anthony Gordon and Conor Gallagher registered their first ones. While substitute Jarrod Bowen scored one of the fastest goals in history, and fellow sub Taylor Harwood-Bellis completed the rout within minutes of his debut.
Which all means Carsley can now return to work with the U21s, safe in the knowledge he’s done the job asked of him. This night was all about England getting the job done. England had never lost four games at Wembley in a calendar year, and this was not the time to start.
But this didn’t stop Carsley from continuing to be brave and bold with his team selection in his final fling in caretaker charge. This included a debut for Tino Livramento.
(Image: Eddie Keogh – The FA)
The visitors had never won at Wembley, and making history appeared a huge task for the men in green. England dominated from the off, and could have taken the lead inside six minutes when Walker flashed a header over the top from Noni Madueke’s corner.
Nathan Collins did well to snuff out Gordon following a surging run from Jude Bellingham. Hall set up a chance for Kane inside the box, but his control let him down at the crucial moment. And Hall threatened again moments later when he found space on the left, but his dangerous cross failed to find a team-mate.
The Irish were proving a tough nut to crack. While England were just sending home fans nuts. England’s cause was not helped when Jude Bellingham tried his luck, but shanked an effort hopelessly over the top.
(Image: Michael Regan – The FA)
England were starting to run into cul-de-sacs, while Bellingham was booked (again) for dissent. It was attack versus defence – and defence was winning. At this stage the occasion had about as much life in it as Mike Tyson’s so-called scrap with Jake Paul in Dallas 48 hours earlier.
The most impact Kane had had was when he got booked for hauling Jayson Molumby to the turf before half time. But he reminded people of his enduring class by helping to create and score the opening goal on 53 minutes. His sublime pass to Bellingham resulted in Liam Scales tripping the Real Madrid sensation to concede a spot kick, and get himself send off for a second booking.
(Image: The FA via Getty Images)
And Kane made no mistake to stretch his record at the top of the scoring charts. The breakthrough sparked a goal frenzy from the Three Lions, which ended with them scoring three in five astonishing minutes. The lead was doubled when Ireland failed to clear a cross from Livaramento, allowing Gordon to volley past Caoimhin Kelleher.
Gallagher then got in on the act, finishing from close range after Marc Guehi had flicked on Madueke’s corner. The Irish had gone to pieces. Bowen made it four with his first touch, just seconds after joining the action.
Before Harwood-Bellis added the finishing touches with a goal on his first appearance, to complete the five star show. Talk about a game of two halves.