MX23RW : Sunday, November 24 09:27:39| >> :600:152758:152758:

Phil Neville hails 'sensational performance' after England lift SheBelieves Cup

Phil Neville hails 'sensational performance' after England lift SheBelieves Cup
© Reuters
The Lionesses overcame Japan in emphatic style.

England manager Phil Neville hailed a "sensational performance" after his side clinched the SheBelieves Cup for the first time.

An emphatic 3-0 victory over Japan in Florida ensured England secured the silverware in style, with first-half goals from Lucy Staniforth, Karen Carney and Beth Mead sealing the deal.

Speaking after the match, Neville said he was determined to enjoy his first trophy as a manager, and praised his team for staying humble.

"It was a sensational performance," he told BBC Sport. "I wasn't that bothered before the tournament whether we won or lost, I just wanted to see an improvement and we go home knowing we are definitely in the right direction.

"We just keep listening to USA, Japan and Brazil talk about how good we are. But we remain humble, have fun and enjoy moments like this.

"You don't get many chances to get your hands on a trophy. It is my first as a manager so I am just going to enjoy it."

England, after beating Brazil and drawing with world champions the United States earlier in the four-team tournament, needed victory in Tuesday's winner-takes-all encounter to lift the trophy.

They controlled the opening stages at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa and raced to a three-goal lead inside half an hour.

Attacking midfielder Staniforth provided the 11th-minute opener, collecting a flicked pass from Jodie Taylor and advancing to the edge of the D before unleashing a low shot into the bottom right corner for her second international goal.

Taylor, who had earlier been narrowly off target after turning in the box, then laid on the second for experienced winger Carney.

A long throw from Lucy Bronze freed Taylor on the right and she hooked the ball back to leave Carney with a simple headed finish from inside the six-yard box.

Japan fell further behind on the half-hour mark as Mead fired a left-footed effort past Japan goalkeeper Erina Yamane at the near post.

However, the Lionesses' success came at a cost as Izzy Christiansen limped off injured with the start of the World Cup only three months away.

The Lyon midfielder was reduced to tears while receiving treatment for possible knee and ankle problems suffered during a hefty collision with Japan defender Risa Shimizu.

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Press Association Sport staff');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', 'bcd8edfc-7a29-49bd-9515-7f1a4e5fa3fe');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:match-reports,paservice:sport:uk,paservice:sport:world');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Phil Neville hails \u2018sensational performance\u2019 after England lift SheBelieves Cup'});

ID:352451: cacheID:352451:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6848:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Real Madrid manager Santiago Solari reacts during his side's Champions League defeat to March on March 5, 2019
Read Next:
Santiago Solari calls on Real Madrid to respond to disappointing Champions League exit
>
Read more about Phil Neville Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Vikings
@
Bears
6pm
Lions
@
Colts
6pm
Patriots
@
Dolphins
6pm
Buccaneers
@
Giants
6pm
Chiefs
@
Panthers
6pm
Titans
@
Texans
6pm
Cowboys
@
Washington
9.05pm
Broncos
@
Raiders
9.25pm
49ers
@
Packers
9.25pm
Cardinals
@
Seahawks
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Crystal Palace121561017-78
19Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!