Lee Carsley gets what he asked for as three England stars prove their worth in Finland win

FINLAND 1-3 ENGLAND: It remains to be seen if Lee Carsley will lead England beyond next month but whatever happens next, his interim reign has yielded plenty of positives

The result looks more convincing than the performance in the Olympic Stadium.

But, ultimately, England did at least get the job done at the end of what has been a difficult and painfully defining week for Lee Carsley.

Carsball went flat after the defeat to Greece at Wembley which cost the interim manager any realistic hope of getting the job on a permanent basis. This at least felt like some pride was regained as Carsley fielded a more conventional line-up and Jack Grealish, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Declan Rice were on target to get a much-needed win.

It was a bit sloppy at times, England did not keep a clean sheet and it was a bit slow and laboured until the late goal rush put a gloss on the overall team display.

But whatever happens next for Carsley, his short term tenure has been really good for some players with Grealish right at the top of the list.

Grealish has now got two goals in three games for Carsley and, after being axed from England’s Euros squad in the summer, it has been a huge vote of confidence for the Manchester City forward. He looks back towards his best with his cheeky grin, his energy and slick passing together with the clear enjoyment of feeling like he is a main man again.

Alexander-Arnold was vulnerable in defence at times but, again, he has shown his potential under Carsley as he started from an unfamiliar left back slot.

Angel Gomes was miles away from the England set-up but he has shown he deserves to be in the seniors and can be a good option for whoever comes next. His assist for Grealish’s opener was a thing of beauty.

There were a couple of obvious disappointments in that Harry Kane looked like a passenger, a long way from being match sharp and yet still did not look happy when his number went up more than 20 minutes before the end.

Cole Palmer was quiet on the right and Jude Bellingham cut a frustrated figure at times and England cannot expect to get the best out of him until they find his best position in this tactical set-up.

Marc Guehi was excellent as he read danger and got back to his form at the Euros which made him such a key player for England.

You thought once England went ahead they would take charge – but Finland, ranked 64th in the world, more than held their own and could have scored before Alexander-Arnold’s second goal sealed it.

England’s opener was a beauty, though. The through ball from Gomes more eye-catching than Grealish’s finish. You do wonder what Manchester United are thinking to see Gomes, their ex-academy graduate, flourishing for England. It was Alexander-Arnold who fed Gomes and the pint-sized midfielder turned, saw Grealish and his delightful ball slotted in the Manchester City forward who fired a low shot into the bottom corner.

But England rode their luck at times. Finland striker Fredrik Jensen blazed two big chances over the bar, his second was an absolute sitter from point blank range early in the second half.

Thankfully for England, Alexander-Arnold settled their nerves. England got a free kick just over 20 yards out and it was perfect territory out on the left or the Liverpool full back. He curled an absolute beauty into the top corner and that finally put the game to bed after 74 minutes.

Rice capped a good all-round performance with England’s third after timing his run to perfection to tap-in from close range.

But England failed to keep a clean sheet which ruined Dean Henderson’s night as the Crystal Palace keeper was given a chance to show what he can do. England failed to defend a war post corner and Arttu Hoskonen ghosted in to head home.

It leaves England still with a chance of winning their Nations League Group but they know realistically they will have to win in Greece next month to stand a chance of doing that.

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