Football

UEFA Nations League: Lee Carsley Far From Comfortable Despite Perfect England Start

ꦜ The victory made Carsley the first England manager to win his first two competitive games at the helm to nil since Steve McLaren achieved the feat in 2006

Lee-Carsley
Lee Carsley looks on during England's win over Finland
info_icon

Lee Carsley still feels far from comfortable in his role as interim England boss, though he was delighted to see the Three Lions make a perfect start to their Nations League campaign. (More Sports News)

Harry Kane scored twice on his 100th international appearance as Englan🐓d beat Finland 2-0 at Wembley on Tuesday, having overcome the Republic of Irelan𝔍d by the same scoreline on Saturday.

The victory made Carsley the first England mana♐ger to win his first two competitive games at the helm to nil since Steve McLaren achieved the feat in 2006. 

Such🐎 was England's dominance against Ireland and Finland that goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was only forced into one save across the two games, in the 11th minute on Saturday.

Despite his impressive start, Carsley – who is see♈n as a leading contender to get the job on a permanent basis – feels there is plenty more to come.

"I defi꧂nitely don't feel comfortable still, I have been out of my comfort zone," he told ITV Sport. 

"It's been enjoyable b🧜ut we have to make sure every single day we are producing high standards. 

"We've been🅰 fortu﷽nate enough to get two good results and it's all about building on that."

info_icon

Pickford, meanwhile, has been impressed by the impact mad🌟e by some of the new faces called up by Carsley, many of📖 whom played under him at under-21 level.

";It is new and it has been a short camp. A lot of young lads won the Under-21 Euros with the manag𒈔er and they know 𓆏the ideas," the Everton goalkeeper said.

"t was refreshing for the older lads▨ – I always want to improve. With England there is a pathway from the younger age groups. 

"The amount that come from the under-16s and get opportunities to play for the seniors is th﷽ere, and it has been there on the manager side as well."

Lille midfielder Anꦺgel Gomes was among those to impress on his full debut, becoming the first player to start for England while playing for a French club since Marseille's Trevor Steven in June 1992 (versus France).

Gomes had more touches (130) and completed 🎀more passes (116) than any other player, while only Jack ❀Grealish (53) bettered his 42 passes in the final third.

info_icon

Chelsea's Noni Madueke also made his first England appearance from the bench, replacing Bukayo Saka and making a swift impact by teeing up Kane's se💞cond goal.

"I📖t was great to make my first appearance for th🐟e national team and I'm really proud of myself," the winger told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"It 😼has been a great week, the boys are great and the staff and players have made me feel welcome.

"It tried to go out there and be direct and cause problems. I got an assist for 💛Harry on his 100th appearance – it can't get much better than that. It is fitting that Harry got both goals, it is his night."🍌;