The English press have had their say on Arsenal stars Myles Lewis-Skelly and Declan Rice after Monday night’s performance against Latvia.
The Three Lions eased past the Eastern European nation, ensuring Thomas Tuchel enjoyed a second consecutive victory at the start of his reign.
A stunning free-kick from Reece James, a tap-in for Harry Kane and Eberechi Eze’s deflected strike saw off the visitors at Wembley.
The result sees England top their World Cup qualification group after two matches, with a game against Andorra in June next up.
English media review Myles Lewis-Skelly’s performance against Latvia
Lewis-Skelly scored on his international debut on Friday night against Albania, slotting in neatly after being played through on goal by Jude Bellingham.
English media were full of praise for Lewis-Skelly for that display, but they weren’t quite as complimentary this time around.
While there was a general admiration for the way in which he inverted against Latvia, some outlets felt he faded in the second period and struggled to exert as much influence as he did against Albania.
The Daily Mail were fond of his display, however, giving him a 7.5/10 in their player ratings: “Inverted left back for the start of the night, moving alongside Declan Rice. Composed display, not wasting a single pass in the first half.”
Meanwhile, the Guardian also gave the teenager a 7/10: “English football’s latest discovery began with real buzz. Like the absent Trent Alexander‑Arnold, showed that the modern full-back can double as a playmaker, before he faded.”
The Express were slightly more negative with their analysis, giving Lewis-Skelly a 6/10 and writing: “Operated as an inverted full-back, but struggled to make as much impact as he did against Albania.”
English media praise Declan Rice’s performance
Registering an assist for Kane against Latvia, Rice replicated this feat on Monday night in north-west London.
The Arsenal midfielder made an astute underlapping run, before expertly turning the ball across goal for the Bayern Munich striker to tap home.
This capped off what was an excellent showing from Rice as the single pivot in Tuchel’s team.
The Daily Mail gave the former West Ham man a 7.5/10, writing: “Decent in setting the tempo and kept England ticking over, with a clever run to the byline to set up a cross for Harry Kane.”
The Guardian gave him a 7/10, adding: “Operated as a one-man screen for the defence. Assumed responsibility for corners, delivery usually troubling the Latvian defence. Supplied Kane’s goal on a plate.”
Meanwhile, the Express also awarded Rice a 7/10: “Another hard working display in midfield from someone who has become the personification of consistency.”
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