- Jack Grealish finished into bottom corner in 18th minute to put England ahead
- Angel Gomes had split the defence open with a superb pass on the inside
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Roy Keane has heaped praise on Angel Gomes for his assist in England’s opening goal against Finland.
The 24-year-old started for the Three Lions for the second time in Saturday’s fixture having also appeared from the start in the reverse fixture against Finland.
England took the lead after 18 minutes through Jack Grealish’s clinical finish into he bottom corner.
The Manchester City’ forward was put through on goal by Gomes, whose superb pass on the inside split three Finnish defenders open.
Keane said on ITV: ‘Yeah, real bit of quality. A brilliant goal. If we saw France or Spain’s scoring a goal like this, we’d be praising him. But, yeah, nice and patient.
Angel Gomes made his second England start against Finland and made an early impact
The 24-year-old (centre) played a superb ball into Jack Grealish (right) who put the Three Lions ahead
Former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane hailed Gomes for his ‘pure quality’
‘Here England, Gomes obviously just do what you do, pass it forward, and he just seems to wander in there. Jack draws a few players over, which obviously helps him eventually, when he gets in there.
‘But this pass again, Trent, nice and simple. Sharp these couple of touch on Gomes and this last piece, honestly, I think pure quality, lovely and obviously Jack then finishes it off. But really lovely bit of quality.’
Analysing the goal, Ian Wright added: ‘It’s really good to see in that area, because he’s not just, you know, I mean the progresser of the ball.
‘He can, if he gets into that area, number 10 area, he can do this. ‘That’s brilliant.
‘I think one of the things that I saw which noticeable was him and Declan being so high up as the two maybe holding players, but at the same time they have got cover, and that’s what I think England a little bit weak, but in this instant, the offensive play’.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s free-kick doubled England’s lead after 74 minutes before Declan Rice made it 3-0 10 minutes later.
Arttu Hoskonen got a consolation for the hosts, with England now level on points with Greece at the top of their Nations League group.
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