Carter, Charles and James star as England break down resilient Italy to win 2-1 in Arnold Clark Cup

By Paul Lagan at CBS Arena, Coventry

England 2 v Italy 1

Chelsea’s Jess Carter, Niamh Charles and Lauren James all played their part in England’s functional rather than outstanding performance against Italy, winning 2-1 at the CBS Arena, Coventry in the Arnold Clark Cup this afternoon.

While Rachel Daly will take the plaudits for her two goals, Carter in particular impressed in the cente-back position with Charles showing excellent defensive qualities on the left and giving vital attacking support.

James was a substitute and was the provider for the winner by Daly after Italy pegged the Lionesses back half-way through the second half.

England head coach Sarina Wiegman is utilising her versatile squad ahead of the summer’s World Cup to prepare the players for opposition who will defend deep and try to break with quick counter-attacks - Italy provided ideal opposition to test this out. England eventually found the way through and it was down to the regulation cross from the wing and a bullet header from the striker - in this case Daly to finish things off.

While England started the brighter, it was the Italians, in the shape of Valentina Giancinti who had the first effort on goal on five minutes, but her right-footer from a tight angle was parried away for a corner by Ellie Roebuck.

But the Lionesses soon got into their groove and Rachel Daly had two excellent goal-bound shots saved in quick succession by Laura Giuliani.

With England getting close to the final third, then struggling to find a way through, it was left until the 33rd minute for a bit of precision play to reap dividends. Katie Robinson, on the right edge of the Italy area put across the perfect in-swinging right-footer. Daly responded well, and, despite a slight suspicion of offside, she produced a powerful header wide of Giuliani and plonked the ball into the back of the net to put the home side 1-0 up.

Sarina Wiegman brought on Katie Zelem and Jordan Nobbs at half-time, Jess Park and Kiera Walsh made way.

Matters on the pitch continued in much the same vein as the first, with England increasing the pressure.

Nobbs had a great chance with almost her first touch but her edge of the area shot was well parried way by Giuliani in 54 minutes.

A lofted header towards goal from substitute Elena Linari on 57 minutes failed to trouble Ellie Roebuck.

But the Italians levelled on 62 minutes when Martina Piemonte crossed from the left and the move was finished off by Sofia Cantore. There were strong suspicions that the ball had crossed the byline before the goal, but referee Ivana Projkovska signalled the leveller.

A slew of changes for England soon followed, on came Lauren James, Lottie Wubben-Mooy, Chloe Kelly and Leah Williamson.

With 20 minutes left on the clock, the Italian player Barbara Bonansea was down on the ground injured, wide on the right. James ignored the call to kick the ball out, instead she produced another excellent ball into the box, and like Robinson’s for the opener, Daly was on hand to direct her header wide of Giuliani to restore England’s lead.

The game petered out after this but, while the win was important, it was the ability of England to crack a deep defence that will be the real plus.

Teams: Roebuck, Greenwood, Walsh, Hemp, Day, Park, Carter, Charles, Robinson, Le Tissier, Coombs

Subs: Earps, MacIver, Bronze, Bright, Williamson, Kelly, Stanway, Russo, Toone, James, Salmon, Zelem, Wubben-May, Nobbs

Italy, Giuliani, Bergamaschi, Galli, Giuliano, Rosucci, Giacinti, Girelli, Bonansea, Boattin, Lenzini, Salvai

Subs: Schroffengger, Baldi, Filangeri, Linari, Cantore, Cafferata, Bonfantini, Serurini, Polli, Caruso, Piemonte, Greggi, Catena, Orsi, Severini