England interim manager Lee Carsley said his side were “good in parts” against the Republic of Ireland on Saturday, but Roy Keane criticised the “arrogance” shown in the second half of the 2-0 win in Dublin.
Early goals from Declan Rice and Jack Grealish, who were booed throughout by the home crowd after switching international allegiance, sealed a comfortable win for the Three Lions in their opening Nations League game – the first since Carsley was installed as temporary boss.
England’s first half showing was impressive – some fast-pace, one touch passing interspersed with some terrific counter-attacking football – but they were less imposing in the second 45 minutes as Ireland played their way back into the game.
The loss of control appeared to be acknowledged by Carsley after the game, with the former Ireland international telling ITV: ” “I thought it was good in parts. You’ve seen some of the things we’ve tried to do.
“The lads have to take a lot of credit, all of the credit. I think we’ve showed we’ve got some real talent and we can be really pleased with the clean sheet as well.”
Manchester United legend Keane, however, was aghast at the drop-off in England’s performance, labelling their second half showing as “awful”. The former defensive midfielder also criticised the attitude of England’s players, suggesting they had shown complacency and “a bit of arrogance” when the game was under control.
“The frustrating thing is for today is that Ireland were there for the taking. England dominated in the first half, we praised them, their decision-making, their quality in their movement,” Keane said.
“That was the opposite in the second half, I thought they were awful, they were playing for themselves, taking too many touches, try playing Roy of the Rovers passes. Keep doing the basics, suck Ireland out, but Ireland played with a lot of pride in the second half.
“But as good as England were in the first half I thought they were just as bad in the second half, players playing for themselves, substitutions strolling off, a bit of arrogance. This team is there for the taking, especially because of the attacking players. If you are on that pitch you are thinking: ‘I’ve got a chance to score a goal’.”
Carsley added of the display: “I think you’ve got to give Ireland credit as well, they are very resilient, they closed the gaps and our space maybe became a bit wider [in the second half].
“We found it a little bit more difficult to get through them but at 2-0 we were quite comfortable.”
England are back in action against Finland on Tuesday in what should be captain Harry Kane‘s 100th international appearance.
