Ian Wright delivers Anthony Gordon verdict by making Harry Kane claim as England beat Ireland
Amir Mir
4 – 5 minutes
Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon started for England and helped them to a 2-0 win over the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.
It was a frustrating summer for Gordon at Euro 2024, as the Newcastle star only got five minutes of action and then proceeded to watch his team play dour football, before being beaten in the final by Spain.
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But now, Gareth Southgate has left the England post and Lee Carsley is in charge, with the interim boss throwing Gordon straight into the action for their UEFA Nations League opener.
It’s clear to the world what the speedster’s strengths are, playing the ball over the top or in behind the opposition’s defence and he will cause havoc.
England’s opening goal was scored by Declan Rice, but it came after a darting run from Gordon when Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold pinged the ball over the top for the Newcastle man.
Ian Wright noted that the 23-year-old should have scored his one-v-one effort, but he kept the ball in play, before eventually feeding the ball back into the mouth of the penalty box, and eventually, Rice scored.
When Gordon made the run in behind, he came from outside to in and ran down the heart of the Ireland defence.
Harry Kane was situated close by and Ian Wright mentioned how England haven’t had somebody for a long while who is willing to run behind in such a manner, as he told ITV Sport.
That’s probably down to Southgate’s previous tactics because Carsley, as he displayed with the England U21s, is far more attacking, fluid and a risk-taker than his predecessor.
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And Gordon, albeit after one game, is already benefiting from it and Wright hailed his performance.
Anthony Gordon helps England beat Ireland
“Very, very impressive from England,” said Wright. “I thought Ireland would have be a lot tighter to them.
“But saying that, they have been passing into areas. Passing it with pace and passing it through the lines. You saw with the first goal, it was a brilliant run from Anthony Gordon. Even with Harry Kane in the middle. You are seeing somebody who is willing to run in behind, which is something we haven’t had in a while.
“Then you flood the box, good effort from Harry Kane, but then Declan Rice, who has been making that late break into the box all day, making those late runs, has come in again. It’s the run from Gordon. The fact that Trent Alexander-Arnold has got so much time on the ball (to play a ball over the top). I think Gordon should score this (one-v-one). He did a great interview (before the game) about what he wanted to do and those chances he has to take. In the end, they got the ball back in and then bam, Declan scores a fantastic goal.”
Dublin , Ireland – 7 September 2024; Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher in action against Anthony Gordon, and Harry Kane of England d…
Photo By Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile via Getty Images
Anthony Gordon’s future at Newcastle United
There has been a lot of talk about Newcastle’s summer transfer window and how things didn’t go to plan for the club.
Yes, the team are unbeaten after three Premier League games, but as Newcastle proved during their win over Tottenham, they aren’t at their best.
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You worry if results slip, then the negative noises will start to come out and don’t forget Gordon was linked with Liverpool this summer.
That will only have a domino effect and it doesn’t help that the team isn’t in Europe this season and they are under pressure to return all whilst Howe also gets linked with the England job.
A big few months ahead for the club!
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