England vs Republic of Ireland live updates: Lee Carsley starts with ...

This was a great day for Grealish. Back in the England team in his favoured No 10 position, he was integral to everything good that England did. He looked happy and confident, as was clear when he gleefully celebrated his well-taken goal.

It must have been a relief given it was only three months ago that he was cut from Southgate’s squad for Euro 2024 to the shock of not just Grealish himself but some of his team-mates.

Given how well the 28-year-old played, you might think he will be an integral part of the Carsley era. But there is an issue. Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer were all absent from this England squad. They are three of England’s best players and not just in this particular position.

They will all want to play in that No 10 role. Southgate never quite worked out how to play Foden and Bellingham together, to England’s cost at the Euros. How Carsley will fit those three along with Grealish will be one of the questions that defines his tenure.

When interviewed earlier this week and asked if Euro 2024 was a success or failure for England, Anthony Gordon did not hesitate to say the latter. “You could say we controlled our games, but I don’t think we were very dynamic,” he added, highlighting that England failed to put teams away and relied on individual brilliance.

Part of that was England’s left side, with Kieran Trippier a makeshift, right-footed left-back and Phil Foden ahead of him. It meant England were stocked with ball-to-feet No 10s and a No 9 who wanted to drop into the space in midfield. Southgate only used Gordon once from the bench.

The first half in Ireland showed Gordon’s suitability, consistently running in-behind to complement Harry Kane coming deeper, a key threat against 5-4-1 defending with a high-line, and the ideal type of winger to maximise Trent Alexander-Arnold’s passing range from midfield.

England’s first goal came from that move. Even if Gordon should have scored the initial chance, his runs in behind Ireland’s defence were disruptive, giving England central routes through and pulling defenders deeper to make space for Grealish.

Carsley has stressed the importance of England having multiple ways of playing, all tailored to individual strengths. He’s found one in his first game.

This was always going to be a game dominated by the non-football context and the fact two England players — Rice and Grealish — as well as Carsley used to play for Ireland.

Carsley’s comments before the game that he would not sing the national anthem have become a huge story, even though he was clear he has never sung an anthem, preferring to focus on the match ahead. So it was no surprise to see Carsley standing tight-lipped when God Save the King was played before kick-off (after he had momentarily sat in the home rather than away dugout).

As expected, Grealish and Rice were heavily booed when the game started, although neither player looked distracted by it. They both started the game brilliantly before scoring. Rice responded with a pointedly muted non-celebration, holding his palms to the floor as if to apologise to the Irish crowd he represented three times in the past.

Grealish, however, was more enthusiastic, joyfully celebrating in front of the travelling England fans as if he had scored a goal against any other country.

GO FURTHER

Republic of Ireland 0 England 2: Rice and Grealish defy boos, Gordon’s pace proves key

Ain't no rest for the wicked during an international break.

Both England and Republic of Ireland are back in action on Tuesday evening.

At Wembley, Lee Carsley will take charge of his second game as manager against Finland (which we will be covering live) while another home game awaits for Republic of Ireland, this time against Greece.

After their shock relegation from League A of the Nations League, England have no excuse but to immediately return to the top division.

And, looking at their Group B2 opponents, there is no real excuse why they shouldn't take maximum points from their six matches.

Greece vs Finland kicks off in a few minutes' time.

The last time Declan Rice played at the Aviva Stadium, he was wearing an Republic of Ireland shirt (against USA in June 2018).

Six years and 97 days later, he returned in an England shirt and scored the opening goal in some style.

Not a great afternoon for those Irish fans who spent 90 minutes booing him!

England were terrific in the first half, but rather underwhelming in the second.

That said, they didn't need to be electric after half-time and were thoroughly dominant in the stats.

Carsley was not ecstatic with his side's performance, but was more than content with a comfortable win and a clean sheet.

"I thought it was good in parts. You've seen some of things we tried to do and the lads have got to take the credit," he told ITV. "We've showed that we've got some real talent and we can be pleased with the clean sheet as well."

He was asked about the returning pair Rice and Grealish getting on the scoresheet.

"They both took their goals really well, really well-worked moves and brilliant finishes," added Carsley. "They can both score a lot more goals moving forward and add goals to their game."

Grealish made sure to impress on his return to the England lineup after missing out on the squad for Euro 2024.

"At the end, going over to the fans and hearing them sing my name, there's no better feeling than playing for England," he told ITV. "Over the summer, it was probably one of the worst summers of my life because you can't not see everything that's happening in front of you.

"It was difficult but it has given me more (reason) to bounce back."

As expected, Grealish and Rice received their fair share of abuse from the home supporters inside the Aviva Stadium and the Manchester City winger discussed it after the match.

"It's what me and Dec expected! I said before the game that me and Dec have nothing bad to say, we both enjoyed our time (playing for Republic of Ireland) and I have a lot of Irish in my family so there's no bad blood whatsoever from my side," he told ITV.

He then spoke about his performance, and his need for minutes.

"I need to start playing regularly, scoring goals and that's what I did today," said Grealish. "I'm still not 100 per cent fit but I'm getting there."

It was an emphatic finish for Rice to get the ball rolling for England today and he spoke to ITV after the match.

"We're in the (Nations League) league below where we want to be in so we know how important it is to win this group," he said. "It was really important to come here and win. To score alongside Jack was a really nice feeling."

Then, he was asked about Carsley's first international break as head coach.

"For Lee to come in today for his first game, it has been really refreshing this week," said Rice. "He's been amazing to work with, his meetings have been top. The way he has worked in training has been really good. It's a fresh start, it's a change and to win for him today was the main thing."

Good start for Lee Carsley. England were very good in the first half and very little happened after the goals.

The tactical tweaks looked good while Rice and Grealish will be very satisfied with their goals given the context.

FT Republic of Ireland 0-2 England

And that's that in Dublin.

A very, very convincing win for England, something they haven't always been able to do against Republic of Ireland.

The goals came from Declan Rice and Jack Grealish in a dominant first half and that set the visitors on the way to an easy victory.

Three points in Lee Carsley's first match and it sends England to the top of the Nations League group.

90+3' Republic of Ireland 0-2 England

That really should have been three for England.

A superb outside-of-the-boot pass from Gibbs-White set Saka away into the opposing penalty area. The Arsenal star took his time before looking to bend a left-footed effort into the top corner, but Kelleher batted it away at full stretch.

Another encouraging performance for Liverpool's No 2.

90+1' Republic of Ireland 0-2 England

Five more minutes of this one, which led to cheers of encouragement from the home fans.

Those cheers quickly turned to shouts for a penalty as McAteer went to ground in the box, but it was more than hopeful from the Leicester City youngster as he was told by the referee to get back to his feet.

88' Republic of Ireland 0-2 England

A very late flurry of chances for England with the substitutes all keen to stamp their mark on the match.

Gibbs-White found the feet of Eze a few yards outside the Republic of Ireland penalty area. He shifted the ball back onto his right foot but he was never set for the strike and it flew high and wide of the target.

86' Republic of Ireland 0-2 England

Almost the perfect introduction for Bowen.

He picked up the ball 10 yards inside the Republic of Ireland half and set off towards goal. Ignoring options to both sides, he continued into the penalty area and aimed a left-footed strike for the top corner.

It needed saving, and it was. Liverpool's Kelleher diving and parrying it clear of danger.

84' Republic of Ireland 0-2 England

And, on top of that disruption, the rhythm of the game is disturbed further with changes for both teams.

Even Ferguson is on for the hosts in place of Brady while John Stones and Jarrod Bowen are on for England, Kane and Maguire have been withdrawn.

No goal, but a productive 99th cap for Kane.

82' Republic of Ireland 0-2 England

A fan has run on to do a knee slide in front of the England fans but just fell over at the point of impact with the turf. More as we get it.