International Friendly: Grealish, Maguire Lifts England Past Ireland

England beat the Republic of Ireland for the first time in 35 years as Harry Maguire scores as a skipper and Jack Grealish sparkled in Thursday's 3-0 friendly win.

AllNews understands that Harry Maguire was sent off in his previous England appearance against Denmark but he could be on his way to redemption as he captained his country for the first time and scored the opening goal at Wembley.

Just 48 hours after the resignation of English FA chairman Greg Clarke following his offensive comments about the BAME and LGBT communities, Gareth Southgate's side showed no signs of being distracted by the controversy.

It was a welcome boost for Maguire, who has endured a difficult campaign marred by his Greek court case and poor form for Manchester United and England.

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Jadon Sancho bagged England's second goal before the interval and Dominic Calvert-Lewin made it three with a second-half penalty.

A first goal at @wembleystadium for @Sanchooo10, who was delighted to see club team-mate @BellinghamJude make his #ThreeLions debut ? pic.twitter.com/JfreR065d1

— England (@England) November 13, 2020

That was enough to seal England's first success against the Republic since 1985.

History is made, as @BellinghamJude becomes the third-youngest player to represent the #ThreeLions.

Congratulations, Jude ? pic.twitter.com/SD5TjQI3FM

— England (@England) November 12, 2020

There was a landmark moment for Jude Bellingham, who became the third-youngest player to represent England when the 17-year-old Borussia Dortmund midfielder came on for Mason Mount in the 73rd minute.

Bellingham, who left Birmingham to join Dortmund earlier this year, is behind only Theo Walcott and Wayne Rooney in the list of England's youngest players.

After the match, Arsenal left wing-back, Bukayo Saka won the man of the match award.

Your @bt_uk Player of the Match...

Congratulations, @BukayoSaka87! ? pic.twitter.com/FwYyTkYvM5

— England (@England) November 12, 2020

The teenager is one for the future, but Southgate will have been more encouraged by the way his understudies impressed after he rested Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, and Jordan Henderson before the Nations League games against Belgium on Sunday and Iceland next Wednesday.

Grealish, starting against the country he represented at youth level, caught the eye on the left flank as he justified the constant calls from fans and pundits for the Aston Villa star to be given a sustained run in the team.

Southgate had urged England to put the focus back on football after Clarke's self-inflicted demise triggered a "turbulent week" and his team were always in control in their first meeting with the Republic since 2015.