England defeated Finland 3-1 on the road in the Nations League, bouncing back from their humiliating loss to Greece.
England’s goals came from Jack Grealish, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Declan Rice; nevertheless, Finland’s late goal came from Arttu Hoskonen.
Lee Carsley, the temporary manager, chose a more balanced team this time around after his experimental formation proved ineffective against Greece.
England has played four Nations League games thus far, winning three and losing one.
You may relive the Olympiastadion events that you might have missed with Mail Sport’s SAMI MOKBEL.
Carsley asserts that Dean Henderson was always scheduled to perform.
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Lee Carsley placated surprise at the decision to give Dean Henderson a start in goal
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England interim boss Carsley insisted that he always wanted to give Henderson an opportunity
In an attempt to assuage the shock of giving Dean Henderson his first England start instead of long-serving first choice Jordan Pickford, Lee Carsley moved swiftly. Considering Pickford’s presumed status as Carsley’s long-term first choice, the Crystal Palace keeper was an unexpected addition to the starting lineup for the match against Finland.
England lost embarrassingly to Greece on Thursday, and Pickford was awful. However, Carsley maintained that he always intended to play Henderson this month, stating, “We were always going to look at Dean Henderson in one of these games. There was a case of getting a look at a few other players.”
Declan Rice shows his ability as a No 8
We caught further glimpse of Declan Rice’s emerging abilities as a No 8 here in Helsinki.
The inclusion of Angel Gomes next to Rice in midfield allowed the Arsenal man greater licence to break forward into attacking areas, a feature of his game that’s become increasingly apparent at his club in recent months.
It’s a facet of Rice’s game that England must harness in the future, with or without Carsley.
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Declan Rice showed some encouraging glimpses of his ability as a No 8 against Finland
Marc Guehi’s return improves England
Marc Guehi returned to the starting XI against Finland after sitting out of the Greece debacle and England looked far better for it.
There’s a calm to the Crystal Palace defender’s game that the team benefit from; with Guehi’s partnership with John Stones growing in stature.
Levi Colwill, who played ahead of Guehi against Greece, has started the season fantastically at Chelsea and the fact he is left-footed provides England with natural balance. But Guehi has to be a fixture in the England team ahead of the World Cup.
Marc Guehi’s return to the starting lineup helped to significantly improve the England team
Trent Alexander-Arnold should play at right-back
Trent Alexander-Arnold is a right-back. That’s where he should play. Not in centre-midfield, not – as he did on Sunday night – at left-back.
As Mail Sport first revealed on Saturday night, the Liverpool star was deployed in an unfamiliar role here in Helsinki but enough with trying to shoehorn him into the England. He was fine there, linking up well with Jack Grealish.
His free-kick for England’s second was sublime. But this England team should play to his strength, not squeezing him in. Play him. Absolutely, yes. But play him at right-back.
Trent Alexander-Arnold started at left-back but it’s clear he should play at right-back
The vice captain of England is still Kyle Walker.
The vice captain of England is still Kyle Walker. Following Jordan Henderson’s exclusion from the tournament, the Manchester City defender—who had previously served as Harry Kane’s second in command—was elevated to the position for Euro 2024.
Kyle Walker remains England’s vice-captain and took the armband when Harry Kane went off
However, Walker’s exclusion from Carsley’s initial selection in September and the departure of Gareth Southgate cast doubt on the vice captaincy.
However, as soon as Walker was replaced in the second half, Kane hurried over to give his teammate the armband.