England vs Ireland player ratings: Jack Grealish and Declan Rice shine on return to Dublin

There were plenty of positives for England to take after an impressive 2-0 win against Ireland. First-half goals from Declan Rice and Jack Grealish gave Lee Carsley’s side the victory in Dublin, but who impressed ahead of Tuesday’s match against Finland?

Telegraph Sport analyses and rates each player’s performance.

England (4-2-3-1)

Jordan Pickford

When England weathered an early and short-lived storm from Ireland, Pickford made a good save from Sammie Szmodics. Relieved to see a second-half shot from Szmodics whistle wide. 7/10

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Lee Carsley allowed the Liverpool player to invert into the midfield from his more natural right-back position and the Liverpool star responded with some brilliant passes, plus a few sloppy ones. 7/10

Marc Guehi

The Crystal Palace defender was England’s best player at the Euros, playing next to John Stones, and he looked just as comfortable partnering the returning Harry Maguire. 7/10

Harry Maguire

Back in the England team after being left out of the squad for the Euros, Maguire will have felt like he had never been away. Overhit a couple of passes out of defence. 6/10

Levi Colwill

Given the role of makeshift full-back, the Chelsea central defender might just prove to be a solution to England’s left-sided problems with Luke Shaw injured and Ben Chilwell out of favour. Cool, calm and composed. 7/10

Declan Rice

A goal and an assist at the Aviva Stadium, where he appeared as an Ireland player in June 2018. He did not celebrate his goal, but the midfielder will have been delighted with his performance. 8/10

Kobbie Mainoo

Part of an England midfield that completely ran the game and enjoyed partnering Rice in the centre. Booked in the first half for a foul on Chiedozie Ogbene. 7/10

Bukayo Saka

The Arsenal man played a part in the brilliant move that resulted in Jack Grealish scoring. Suffered some rough treatment from the Irish defence, but did not let it get to him. Denied by a brilliant Caoimhin Kelleher save. 7/10

Jack Grealish

Nobody loves the limelight more than Grealish and was there any doubt he would celebrate a brilliant goal against the country he was voted Under-21 player of the year for? Of course there wasn’t. 8/10

Anthony Gordon

The Newcastle winger was largely ignored in the European Championship, but he showed what he can offer on the left wing in the Aviva Stadium. Should have scored. 7/10

Harry Kane

England’s captain is now on 99 caps and will be disappointed he did not add to his international goal tally. Headed one chance over the crossbar and saw another saved by Kelleher. Substituted for the fifth consecutive time for his country. 6/10

Substitutes

Morgan Gibbs-White (on for Grealish, 76) Made his first England senior appearance and played one smart pass to Saka. 6/10

Angel Gomes (on for Mainoo, 77) A big moment for the Lille star, as he was handed his England senior debut. 6/10

Eberechi Eze (on for Gordon, 77) The Crystal Palace star made his eighth appearance for England from the bench. Flashed a shot wide and headed a chance off target. 6/10

John Stones (on for Maguire, 85) Took the captain’s armband after Kane went off. 6/10

Jarrod Bowen (on for Kane, 85) Tested Kelleher with a couple of shots. 6/10

Republic of Ireland (3-4-3): Kelleher 8; Coleman 5 (O’Brien, 57, 6), O’Shea 5, Collins 5; Doherty 5 (Knight, 58, 5), Molumby 4, Smallbone 5 (Brown, 75, 5), Brady 5 (Fergsuon, 82, 6); Ogbene 6, Idah 5 (Mcateer, 75, 5), Szmodics 5.