England player ratings vs Ireland – Bellingham imposing | OneFootball

England comprehensively gained promotion back to the Nations League Division A as they thrashed the Republic of Ireland 5-0 at Wembley Stadium.

After an uneventful first half, the contest changed within five minutes of the second period. Liam Scales was sent off for a second bookable offence after impeding Jude Bellingham in the penalty box.

Harry Kane dispatched the penalty with aplomb and the Three Lions’ advantage was doubled just minutes later when Anthony Gordon volleyed past Caoimhin Kelleher to register his first goal in an England shirt.

The floodgates were well and truly open as the hosts netted their third in the space of five minutes when Conor Gallagher bundled home from close range following a corner. Substitutes Jarrod Bowen and Taylor Harwood-Bellis compounded the Boys in Green’s misery off the bench to complete the rout and ensure England top the group.

Lee Carsley’s temporary reign in charge of the senior team ended in victory, here’s how we rated each player’s performance.

England 5-0 Ireland: England player ratings

Jordan Pickford – 6

England’s number one had a quiet evening as he was rarely tested by the Ireland offence. Consecutive clean sheets should see Pickford remain the first-choice goalkeeper when the Thomas Tuchel era commences in January.

Tino Livramento – 7

The Newcastle defender dealt with the occasion well on his debut and was heavily involved in several attacks for the Three Lions.

It was his cross that caused problems for the Irish backline in the buildup to England’s second as Nathan Collins made a hash of his attempted clearance to present the ball to Gordon to double the deficit.

Kyle Walker – 6

It was a comfortable night’s work at centre-back for Walker who marshalled the England backline well before coming off just after the hour.

He was an aerial threat from corners in the opening stages as he connected with a couple of corners, but his efforts came to no avail.

Marc Guehi – 8

Guehi epitomised solidity tonight as he reduced Ireland to minimal chances. The Crystal Palace centre-back recorded an assist when he flicked a Noni Madueke’s corner into the path of Conor Gallagher to tap in England’s third. A strong showing from Guehi who rarely looked troubled.

Lewis Hall – 7

A positive first start for the Three Lions from Hall who held his own in a dominant England outfit. The left-back offered a threat from the flank whilst also ensuring the clean sheet stayed intact.

Curtis Jones – 7

Jones was buoyed on after scoring his first goal in an England shirt against Greece on Thursday night and it was evident that the confidence was flowing.

The 24-year-old demanded the ball of his teammates and often got his side on the front foot with accurate passes that broke the lines.

Conor Gallagher – 8

Gallagher netted his first goal for England from two yards out as he latched onto a searching header from Guehi.

That goal capped off an accomplished display from the Atletico Madrid midfielder who played with his usual energy and enthusiasm.

Noni Madueke – 7

It was another positive showing from the Chelsea forward and he was Lee Carsley’s side’s best player in the first period.

His short bursts and fancy footwork were too much for the opposition defenders as Madueke consistently breezed past green shirts before getting to the byline.

He was booked in the first half for a late challenge on Callum O’Dowda but continued to make a difference as England’s third originated from his dangerous inswinging corner.

Jude Bellingham – 9

It was an influential and imposing display from the Real Madrid star as he picked up two assists and won a penalty.

Bellingham bypassed Liam Scales before being chopped down by the Celtic defender inside the area. The midfielder’s quick thinking then saw him assist Bowen on the edge of the box before he played a raking cross onto the head of Harwood-Bellis to nod in the fifth goal.

He was booked late on in the first period for protesting a refereeing decision which meant he would have missed the playoff due to suspension.

Anthony Gordon – 8

It was a night to remember for Gordon as he netted his first goal for his country against Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side.

The ball fell to him inside the box following a cross from Livramento and the 23-year-old made no mistake with his finish as he volleyed past Kelleher.

The rest of his display was filled with confidence and exuberance as he constantly asked questions of the Irish defence.

Harry Kane – 7

After an uncharacteristically poor showing in the first half which included being shown a yellow card for an off-the-ball incident with West Bromwich Albion midfielder Jason Molumby, the England skipper was much improved after the interval.

He was the architect for the opening goal as he displayed fantastic technique to set up Bellingham with a delightfully incisive pass. The midfielder was fouled inside the area and Kane subsequently sent Kelleher the wrong way to score the opening goal from the spot.

The Bayern Munich marksman had a few opportunities to double his tally as Ireland’s legs grew weary.

Substitutes

Taylor Harwood-Bellis – 8

The defender was the unlikely scorer of England’s fifth as he headed home on his maiden England appearance. He was rarely troubled defensively and will never forget this night at Wembley.

Jarrod Bowen – 8

It was an inspired substitution from Carsley as Bowen made an instant impact off the bench by curling in England’s fourth with his first touch.

He was unmarked on the edge of the box from a corner and swept home after being teed up by Bellingham. The West Ham skipper posed a constant threat for the remainder of the game and fired a few shots just wide of Ireland’s goal.

Morgan Rogers – 7

Rogers was brought on for his second England appearance with a quarter of an hour to go and kept up the energy in the midfield.

Dominic Solanke – 6

Solanke’s introduction allowed the hosts to preserve the pressure in the final third and added an extra body in the penalty box.

Angel Gomes – 6

The Lille midfielder replaced Jones in the closing stages and recycled possession adroitly, but did pick up a yellow card.

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