'I have got to do a good job'published at 22:42 British Summer Time 10 September 2024
22:42 BST 10 September 2024
FT: England 2-0 Finland
More quotes from Lee Carsley, speaking to BBC Radio 5 live...
On Harry Kane: "The way he trains and conducts himself. His finishing as you can imagine is very good, even in training. It is not a surprise when he scores goals in matches as his habits are so good.
"He is a great example for the rest of the players. He is first to every training, he leads by example.
"His game has already adaptable as he comes deep. When Harry is in the team it is important we have a lot of pace around him."
On his tenure with England: "As you can imagine it is a test. Not only for myself, but for the rest of the staff. We have shown to ourselves that we can do it and we can implement what we are trying to do. We can put ideas in place and the players have responded really well to what we have asked."
On being asked whether that means he is saying he wants the job: "I will definitely not be saying that, I am totally relaxed about the situation. I have got to do a good job."
'We have shown to ourselves that we can do it'published at 22:39 British Summer Time 10 September 2024
22:39 BST 10 September 2024
FT: England 2-0 Finland
England
England's interim head coach Lee Carsley, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "First of all it was great we could get a result and it is brilliant for Harry [Kane] with 100 caps.
"The performance was good and really exciting. We spoke about the spells that they might have with counter-attacks and making sure our shape is better on that transition.
"It has been a strong camp, it's fair to say good work has been done beforehand and we have tried to build on that."
On Angel Gomes: "Angel just performed the way we have seen him perform for England over the last two years that I have worked with him. The benefit of it now is everyone has seen it, he is more than capable of controlling games.
"We have seen a player capable of controlling a game. He is a very good asset for us."
Postpublished at 22:36 British Summer Time 10 September 2024
22:36 BST 10 September 2024
FT: England 2-0 Finland
In what were Lee Carsley’s first two games in charge, Jack Grealish was named in the starting XI in consecutive England games for the first time since June 2021 (v Austria and Romania).
Kane celebrates 100th cap in style - read the reportpublished at 22:28 British Summer Time 10 September 2024
22:28 BST 10 September 2024
Phil McNulty BBC Sport chief football writer at Wembley
England captain Harry Kane celebrated his 100th cap in style with two spectacular goals as Finland were beaten in the Uefa Nations League at Wembley.
Kane received a golden cap before kick-off to mark the occasion and wore golden boots - which he used in style to break down a stubborn Finland side.
England had struggled to turn possession into goals, Kane twice being denied by Finland keeper Lukas Hradecky and having a goal ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock with his 67th international goal.
It was goal befitting the occasion, Kane taking a clever in the 57th minute from Trent Alexander-Arnold in his stride before escaping the attentions of the Finnish defence to flash a stunning shot high past Hradecky.
And Kane's landmark night got even better 14 minutes from time when England debutant Noni Madueke set him up for another clinical finish which gave the defiant Hradecky no chance.
It was England's reward for a much-improved second-half display that ensured interim manager Lee Carsley has started his reign with two wins after the beating the Republic Of Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.
'The game is evolving and it's great to keep learning'published at 22:27 British Summer Time 10 September 2024
22:27 BST 10 September 2024
FT: England 2-0 Finland
England
England's centurion Harry Kane, speaking to the press after the game: "My son was having a bit of a meltdown it was past his bedtime, thankfully my wife was there to look after him.
"I don't think I was even thinking of 100 caps when I was on loan at Millwall, Norwich and Leicester.
"At that time it was about getting back into the Spurs team. I have always had a good self belief. I have learned a lot of over the years with Mauricio [Pochettino] when he was at Spurs.
"The game is evolving a bit and it is great for me to keep learning. I would for sure be proud If I knew I was going to get 100 caps."
Post-match statspublished at 22:23 British Summer Time 10 September 2024
22:23 BST 10 September 2024
FT: England 2-0 Finland
Lille’s Angel Gomes became the first player to start for England while playing for a French club since Marseille’s Trevor Steven in June 1992 (v ).
Harry Kane scored his 26th and 27th goals in 35 appearances at Wembley for his country; already the most of any England player at the venue.
Lee Carsley is the first England manager to win his first two competitive games and keep a clean sheet in both since Steve McClaren in 2006. Indeed, Jordan Pickford has only had to make one save across Carsley’s first two games in charge (in the 11th minute against Republic of Ireland).
England remain unbeaten against Finland, with this their 10th victory across their 12 meetings (drawn two). They’ve won their four home games against the Finns by an aggregate score of 11-2.
'Glory days'published at 22:20 British Summer Time 10 September 2024
22:20 BST 10 September 2024
FT: England 2-0 Finland
Ian Dennis BBC Radio 5 Live senior football reporter
The Finland game was Lee Carsley’s first involvement in a game at Wembley.
He never played there in his 20 year playing career where he amassed 548 appearances and when asked on 5 Live by John about his Wembley experiences, “well, I have been to a few games there and I was recently at Bruce Springsteen”.
It meant we had some fun in the commentary box as we slipped song titles from the Boss into our coverage and thankfully for the England boss, ‘if I should fall behind” never materialised and two wins from two means a case of ‘glory days’ for Lee Carsley!
'With England there is a pathway'published at 22:17 British Summer Time 10 September 2024
22:17 BST 10 September 2024
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England
Image source, Getty Images
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "The lads were brilliant tonight they had a few transitions and we regained our shape. We got after the ball quickly to break and play on the front foot.
"It is new and it has been a short camp. A lot of young lads who won the under-21 Euros with the manager and they know the ideas. It was refreshing for the older lads - I always want to improve.
"With England there is a pathway from the young age groups. The amount that come from the under-16s and get the opportunities to play for the seniors is there - it has been there for the manager side as well."
Get Involvedpublished at 22:14 British Summer Time 10 September 2024
22:14 BST 10 September 2024
#bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301 231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
Gareth deserves a lot of credit for England's progress. But I can’t help now thinking if Lee Carsley took charge of England during the last two tournaments what would have happened?
James
Angel Gomes would be better playing in tighter spaces higher up the pitch. Switching position with Rice could work well. Rice has excellent vertical vision and ability to read the game, it could well be a win win swap. Additionally, Gomes lacks the recovery pace if we are counter pressed high and the opponent counters whereas Rice doesn’t.
Rick
Angel Gomes had a quality game today, he bossed that midfield.
Carsley's luxury of richespublished at 22:11 British Summer Time 10 September 2024
22:11 BST 10 September 2024
FT: England 2-0 Finland
Ian Dennis BBC Radio 5 Live senior football reporter
Lee Carsley will be in charge of England for their Nations League games in October.
He will have a luxury of riches at his disposal when you consider he was without the services of players such as Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Ollie Watkins for these two games.
Another conundrum for the Interim head coach next month is his options at right-back.
This was only the second time that Trent Alexander Arnold, his first for five years, had started consecutive games at right back for his country. Certainly stepping into midfield suited the Liverpool player so important with his distribution but he’s never started three in a row for England.
Kyle Walker said it was the “right call” for his omission but he’s made it clear he wants to be involved, “I need to make sure that I am proving him (Lee Carsley) wrong in the near future”.
'I am really proud of myself'published at 22:07 British Summer Time 10 September 2024
22:07 BST 10 September 2024
FT: England 2-0 Finland
England
Image source, Getty Images
England debutant Noni Madueke speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "It was great to make my first appearance for the national team and I am really proud of myself. 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.
"It is fun to work with Harry because if you give him the ball in the box he is going to get you an assist - Stonesy [John Stones] has been great with me and Dec [Rice], Jack [Grealish] - it is a great group of lads.
"I cannot wait to get back to Chelsea and to keep performing."
Late change to Kane celebration planspublished at 22:04 British Summer Time 10 September 2024
22:04 BST 10 September 2024
FT: England 2-0 Finland
Ian Dennis BBC Radio 5 Live senior football reporter
There was a late change to mark Harry Kane’s 100th appearance for his country.
When I spoke with the England captain at the team hotel on Friday in Dublin he told me they were looking to celebrate his landmark occasion in October. The reason was because he wasn’t sure at the time he would start the game against Finland.
As a result it meant “a lot of this has been last minute” according to Kane. His family were still in Munich on Monday but travelled on the day of the game, his wife, Kate and three of their four children.
However, the occasion was too much for Louie, only three, who was in tears in the tunnel leaving daughters Ivy and Vivienne to act as mascots alongside their dad.
'I definitely don't feel comfortable'published at 22:00 British Summer Time 10 September 2024
22:00 BST 10 September 2024
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England manager Lee Carsley talking to ITV: "Harry took his goals really well, a big occasion for him. Kids being here, an emotional night, but really happy for Harry. He fully deserves all the plaudits.
"What I have noticed this week is he is highly motivated to play for England and score goals and to have a centre forward like that, hopefully it continues.
"We played Trent in a different position, along with Rico, you have seen with Trent an array of ing, an ability to control the game. Not a surprise as we have seen him do it for Liverpool.
"I definitely don't feel comfortable still, I have been out of my comfort zone. Enjoyable but we have to had make sure every single day we are producing high standards. Fortunate to get two good results and about building on that."
Postpublished at 21:56 British Summer Time 10 September 2024
21:56 BST 10 September 2024
FT: England 2-0 Finland
Izzy Christiansen Former England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live
When you have got a player who knows where the goal is in the way Harry Kane does, you have got to find a system and play players around who can get the ball in certain areas where he can be that poacher.
'Hungry to prove people wrong'published at 21:52 British Summer Time 10 September 2024
21:52 BST 10 September 2024
FT: England 2-0 Finland
Image source, PA Media
England captain Harry Kane talking to ITV: "It was a big night for me, really proud. I want to score goals and help the team. Whenever you are doubted, it makes you more hungry to prove people wrong. I always back myself to score goals and I am excited for the future.
"Trent backed up with another great performance. We always looked like the team who would break the deadlock. We spoke about being ruthless but in these games you have to keep knocking on the door and you will get your reward.
"The manager has come in with a great energy, talks a lot of about freedom and attacking and hurting the teams. Of course there is a room for improvement, but a great start for him."
'The way you adapt is in your brain'published at 21:51 British Summer Time 10 September 2024
21:51 BST 10 September 2024
FT: England 2-0 Finland
Izzy Christiansen Former England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live
On Harry Kane adapting his game...
When you get older as a footballer you have got to adapt.
On the football pitch the way you adapt is in your brain. You have got to start figuring out quickly what space you need to be in, what can I get away with?
That's not cutting corners, it's being intelligent.
England captain Harry Kane celebrated his 100th cap in style with two spectacular goals as Finland were beaten in the Uefa Nations League at Wembley.
Kane received a golden cap before kick-off to mark the occasion and wore golden boots - which he used in style to break down a stubborn Finland side.
England had struggled to turn possession into goals, Kane twice being denied by Finland keeper Lukas Hradecky and having a goal ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock with his 67th international goal.
It was goal befitting the occasion, Kane taking a clever in the 57th minute from Trent Alexander-Arnold in his stride before escaping the attentions of the Finnish defence to flash a stunning shot high past Hradecky.
And Kane's landmark night got even better 14 minutes from time when England debutant Noni Madueke set him up for another clinical finish which gave the defiant Hradecky no chance.
It was England's reward for a much-improved second-half display that ensured interim manager Lee Carsley has started his reign with two wins after beating the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.
I try to never set limits - Kane after winning 100th England cap
Kane used the night of his 100th cap to deliver a powerful reminder of his quality after a summer of struggle at Euro 2024 in .
The 31-year-old looked a shadow of the striker who is England’s all-time record goalscorer with a series of laboured and lacklustre displays at Euro 2024 in which he looked short of fitness and way off the pace.
Here at Wembley, against moderate but well-organised opposition, the Bayern Munich forward was a threat throughout with only Hradecky standing between England’s leader and the goal he so desperately wanted.
In the end, Kane was the winner of what was becoming a personal battle, triumphing in emphatic fashion with two comprehensive goals.
It was a poignant night as well as one of celebration at Wembley, with tributes paid to former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, who died recently, before Kane received his golden cap from Frank Lampard as well as a bouquet of flowers from Finland’s captain Hradecky.
Kane has been well aware of the justified scrutiny he came under after such a poor Euros but the two goals here took him to an outstanding tally of 68 goals in his 100 England appearances as he demonstrated he can still be a formidable player in the post-Gareth Southgate era.
Carsley’s ideal start
Media caption,
England 'very lucky' to have Kane - Carsley
Carsley has emerged from his opening two games as England's interim manager with an unblemished record - although this must be placed in the context of wins against opposition that ranged from desperately poor in the Republic of Ireland to moderate in the shape of Finland.
Questions would have been asked had England not won these two games but six points from six is exactly what Carsley wanted and potential banana skins have been neatly avoided.
It will strengthen his case to become Southgate's permanent successor but full judgement must be reserved until Carsley’s England are tested against tougher opponents than they have faced so far.
Carsley has shown he is determined to do things his way, clearly wanting to impose a more dynamic approach and a willingness to give youth its fling, as Lille’s Angel Gomes got his first start and Chelsea forward Madueke made his debut as a substitute.
England struggled to create in the first half but took stronger control as Finland tired, leaving captain Kane to steal the show on a special night for one of the country’s greatest strikers.
England are unbeaten in all 11 of their previous meetings with Finland (W9 D2), only facing Bulgaria more often without ever suffering defeat (P12 W8 D4).
England will host Finland for the first time since a March 2001 World Cup qualifier, winning 2-1 in Sven-Goran Eriksson’s first competitive game in charge thanks to goals from Michael Owen and David Beckham.
England lost their final home game under Gareth Southgate, 0-1 in a friendly against Iceland – the Three Lions haven’t lost back-to-back matches on home soil since November 2013 under Roy Hodgson (to Chile and ).
Finland lost 0-3 against Greece in their previous outing, marking the second consecutive competitive match that they’ve lost by 3+ goals (1-4 v Wales previously). This is the first time they’ve lost back-to-back competitive games by at least three goals since October-November 1989 (1-6 v , 0-3 v Netherlands).
Lee Carsley’s first game in charge of England was a 2-0 victory over Republic of Ireland, while the last manager to win his first two competitive games was Fabio Capello in 2008. Indeed, the only managers to win their first two competitive fixtures without conceding a goal are Steve McClaren (2006), Ron Greenwood (1977) and Joe Mercer (1974).
Harry Kane could make his 100th appearance for England, which would see him become just the 10th player to reach a century of games for the men’s team, and first since Wayne Rooney in November 2014. Only two players have scored in their 100th game for the Three Lions, with Rooney doing so versus Slovenia (2014) and Bobby Charlton netting versus Northern Ireland in April 1970.
Teemu Pukki has been directly involved in 12 goals in 18 appearances in the UEFA Nations League (eight goals and four assists), at least three times as many as any other player for Finland in the competition (Robin Lod, 4).
Bukayo Saka completed six dribbles against Republic of Ireland last time out; his most in a single game for England to date (41st appearance). Indeed, Saka’s six completed dribbles ed for half of his team’s total (6/12), as well as being more than Republic of Ireland’s players combined (5).