Lewis Hall and Lewis Miley impressed for England Under-21s in Birmingham on Friday night
Republic of Ireland's Darius Lipsiuc (left) and England's Lewis Miley battle for the ball
Republic of Ireland's Darius Lipsiuc (left) and England's Lewis Miley
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Those who watched England Under-21’s 2-0 win over the Republic of Ireland on Friday night from a Newcastle United perspective would have been encouraged with the performances of two of the club’s youngsters – Lewis Hall and Lewis Miley.
Both started the tie at St Andrew’s as Storm Claudia raged on in Birmingham, making conditions for the passing style that England tried to play far from ideal.
A familiar face was also on the bench for the visitors in Alex Murphy. The United youngster has impressed in the Premier League 2 this season and appeared in the match day squad for all of Newcastle’s Champions League games so far this season.
England broke the deadlock through a Divin Mubama penalty. He converted his second spot-kick of the game after being denied by Noah Jauny in the first half.
Tyrique George wrapped up the game with a well-deserved goal on 90+1 minutes, against a stubborn Ireland team who made the game far from easy for the Young Lions. The win maintains a perfect start to the u21 2027 European Championship Qualifiers.
Miley partnered former Sunderland star Jobe Bellingham in a holding midfield role with Arsenal prospect Ethan Nwaneri playing further forward in the 10 position. The Stanley-born midfielder played on the left of the two and performed admirably.
The Midlands rain did not deter Miley from controlling the game and making a case as to why he should be getting more minutes at club level. It was a composed, complete display from the youngster, who protected the defence superbly and dictated play with his passing.
His clipped ball behind the Ireland defence on 18 minutes almost had Divin Mubama bearing down on goal but for a combination of a poor first touch and good defending from James Abankwah. Overall, the 19-year-old enjoyed a solid and mature performance that will please Eddie Howe.
Lewis Hall of England is challenged by Romeo Akachukwu of Republic of Ireland
Lewis Hall is challenged by Romeo Akachukwu of Republic of Ireland
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Hall was arguably the best player on the night, making himself a constant nuisance on the left-hand side. The former Chelsea man also showed his defensive acumen, reading the game superbly to intercept passes and keeping Southampton’s Roman Akachukwu quiet.
Akachukwu must have been sick of the sight of Hall as his combinations with Jamie Gittens and later George, after the two swapped wings, forced his opponent to track back and do more defending than attacking.
It was the Newcastle left-back who won England’s second penalty of the night just prior the hour mark. A surging run into the box, underlapping George who slid the pass into him. Hall was able to get in front of midfielder Jad Hakiki where a tangling of legs sent Hall to ground. Mubama dispatched the subsequent spot-kick.
Hall was replaced by Preston Northern End’s Thierry Small just shy of 70 minutes and Sydie Peck of Sheffield United came on for Miley five minutes later.
The game-time will give the pair boosted confidence of arriving back on Tyneside ready to play, particularly for Hall as he continues his return to full-match fitness after ankle surgery in spring.
Both performances will have encouraged Eddie Howe, but it could be said that Hall was speaking more to Thomas Tuchel in the way he went about his night.
Exactly a year on from his England debut, the 21-year-old will be hoping he can stay injury free and make his case to be on the plane to the World Cup in the summer.