England ‘take the handbrake off’ to make positive start under Lee Carsley

Declan Rice, who turned out three times for the Republic of Ireland as a teenager, was taunted by the home fans in the sell-out crowd for switching allegiance.

He silenced them with the goal that put the visitors ahead before supplying the assist for Grealish, himself a former Republic of Ireland youth player, to make it 2-0.

Rice got further forward than he ever did at the European Championship, while Kobbie Mainoo also looked to be positive.

There looked to be new freedom to England’s play, having all too often stuck rigidly to two holding midfielders in the summer.

Meanwhile, Trent Alexander-Arnold – making his first start as England right-back for almost four years – provided two wonderful chances for Kane and Gordon.

“There was a fluidity in positions, Trent Alexander-Arnold drifting into midfield, Kobbie Mainoo getting forward, and also Declan Rice, which is where the first goal came from,” added Robinson.

“We saw a lot more forward thinking. The first thought was to go forward.

“England’s performance is probably exactly what Lee Carsley would have been dreaming about last night. He would have wanted his team to be in control, play with a high tempo, press high, keep a clean sheet, score a couple of goals and be tidy in possession.

“It could not have gone any better.”

Grealish’s return was also a positive after being surprisingly left out of Southgate’s summer squad, with the midfielder describing it as “one of the worst summers of my life.”

There appeared a real control about England’s play, demonstrated perfectly by Jordan Pickford’s willingness to play out from the back.

At Euro 2024, the England goalkeeper all too often kicked long aimless balls, with 49% of his passes being long. On Saturday, only 18.5% were long passes, allowing the Three Lions to keep possession.