World Cup 2022 - England 3-0 Senegal: 'Gareth Southgate's critics must admit he got it spot on again'

It wasn't just Jordan Henderson's finish that made a difference in England's World Cup win over Senegal, it was the way in which he was selected.

If one pick showed the England manager's ability to shut out the noise and focus on the requirements of tournament football it was his decision to keep Henderson.

Needless to say, the court of social media opinion was vociferous in its condemnation of the choice before the game but Southgate is impervious to such outside influence and Henderson was central to a 2-0 win that sets up a quarter-Final with France on Saturday.

When England were struggling against the USA in the group stage, Southgate ignored those of us who felt Phil Foden was the answer and called on Henderson to restore control. After doing the job, he did it again in the win that sent Wales home.

"You need somebody to carry the piano before anyone else can play it" is how Bob Paisley used to say.

Henderson is going to start against France because of this quality and team ethic. The way in which he, Bellingham and Rice combine in the middle looks very strong.

Jordan has been great. He is a great leader. The team is knit together by him around the camp. His performances have been very good.

Henderson's game intelligence allows those such as Bellingham to flourish and it was significant that the 19-year-old pointed at his more experienced team-mates after they combined for England's first goal.

Matthew Upson is a former England defender. The three in the middle of the game have been the stand outs for me. Knowing that Declan Rice was behind him, Henderson was free to come in the box all the time.

He was great. Some of the things that he is doing are rubbish. It's crazy. He is not as well known as he could be. He scored a huge goal in the game. He needs to get a bit of respect.

Foden said that Jordan is massive. He is quick to tell you off when someone isn't doing their job. I think that's fine. He is a leader and a captain of his club.

Henderson's inclusion was one element of a team selection that drew a lot of comment in and around Al Bayt Stadium when the team was announced, but those of us who raised an eyebrow must accept he got it absolutely spot on.

The respect has to go to the man for once again sticking to what he believed would get the right result.

Marcus Rashford's two goals against Wales might have convinced other managers to pick him, but he went back to the bench. Foden kept his place despite the fact that he was absent from the scene of a break in at his family home in London.

Two goals were scored by Foden. She scored a single. It was correct, according to Southgate.

After guiding England to the semi-finals of the World Cup and the final of the European Championship, he knows how to manage tournaments. When they ran out of steam and lost their place in the Nations League, they decided it was time to be ruthless.

The teams he is selecting reflect this. He is shutting out the noise from other places, building his team through the tournament, and that approach is producing a group that is growing.

England's triumvirate of Henderson, Rice and Bellingham looks perfectly balanced with the front trio of captain Harry Kane, now only one behind Wayne Rooney's international record of 53.

In four games at the World Cup, England's 12 goals have been scored by eight players, which is a good sign for the team.

With Kylian Mbappe in sensational form and no doubt noting Harry Maguire's struggles against Senegalese pace, there is a selection dilemma for the England coach.

The fine balance that has been achieved in this England side by employing an extra defender, using three at the back as insurance and entrusting the pace of Kyle Walker to somehow subdue the jet-heeled Mbappe is at risk of being upset.

The smart money thinks that England will keep the same team after this victory.

England's fans are reassured that he got the big selection calls right against Senegal, even though it is another pressure point. He should be given the chance to do the same thing on Saturday.

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