England beat Italy after Rachel Daly double - five talking points
Rachel Daly's double ensured England squeezed past Italy to maintain their 100 per cent winning record at the Arnold Clark Cup.
Daly, deployed as a forward, struck once in each half with fine headers, to give England all three points, after a controversial equaliser from Sofia Cantore drew Italy level just after the hour. The Lionesses, who wore purple wristbands to show support and solidarity with their Canadian counterparts in their ongoing dispute, weren't as dominant as they were in their opener but made it 28 games unbeaten under Sarina Wiegman.
But they were still good value for their win and should have had more goals, substitute Jordan Nobbs twice denied by good saves from Laura Giuliani at 1-1. Wiegman made nine changes from the side that eased past Korea on matchday one, and after wasting a flurry of chances early on, it looked like Italy may hold out the European Champions until half-time.
But Daly headed home an excellent Katie Robinson cross to give them the advantage and although Italy fought back through Cantore, the Aston Villa forward struck again from a Lauren James cross to restore England's lead.
Here are the key talking points from Coventry, as England got one hand on the 2023 Arnold Clark Cup.
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Wiegman's tinkering doesn't halt England charge
This was arguably Sarina Wiegman's most experimental starting line-up since taking the job. Prior to the Euros last year she was purely focused on assembling the best team for that tournament and ever since she hasn't moved too far away from her most tried and trusted senior players.
But that changed in the second game of this Arnold Clark Cup, with Wiegman ringing in nine changes from the team beat South Korea, with the aim of giving everyone some game time during the competition. Seeing the likes of Maya Le Tissier and Jess Park in from the off was an interesting call and naturally, it could have led to a lack of rhythm in England's performance.
Sarina Wiegman instructs her players during the Arnold Clark Cup match against Italy (Getty Images)But the Lionesses were once again cool and composed on the ball and had the better chances throughout the contest. Not only did Wiegman manage to give some minutes to those in the squad who needed them, but she also managed to do so while retaining her unbeaten record.
Daly makes her case by notching a double
After Alessia Russo showed what she can do against the Koreans, today was the turn of Rachel Daly to showcase her credentials as England's number nine. And just like when she was last given a chance in the role, against Norway in November, she didn't let Wiegman down.
The Villa star broke the deadlock with a lovely header in the 32nd minute, giving Italy keeper Giuliani no chance. It keeps the battle to be England's central striker for the World Cup very much alive and although Wiegman won't purely judge her forwards on goal return, Daly's fine finish won't have done her own chances any harm.
Her second header that restored the Lionesses' lead was even better, the Villa forward generating most of the power from Lauren James' cross. That sent her straight to the top of the golden boot race. We all know Wiegman is keen to get Daly in her team if possible, but after this will it only be as a centre forward?
Controversial Italy goal gives England work to do
Although England were good value for their win, Italy levelled proceedings in controversial fashion on the hour mark. Sofia Cantore scored her first international goal, but Barbara Bonansea looked to have carried the ball over the goalline before putting it across the face of the goal.
Seeing England concede is something of a rarity these days, although had VAR been in use, as it will be at the World Cup, it may have been disallowed. It was a goal out of nothing, England had started the second half at a high tempo and looked likely to double their lead.
But when Roebuck failed to keep out Cantore's header the Lionesses suffered a setback for the first time in the tournament. It gave Italy renewed confidence but further England substitutes - notably the introduction of Lauren James and Chloe Kelly - swung momentum England's way.
Robinson offers a new dynamic out wide
England aren't short of talent in the wide areas, as evidenced by Lauren James' dominant display against South Korea. But with James dropping to the bench for this one, given a chance in her place was Brighton youngster Katie Robinson proved today that she offers England genuine variation on the wings, with an exciting display.
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The 20-year-old was making her first start in an England shirt and immediately had the Coventry crowd excited when leaving two Italian markers for dead with a sharp turn in the third minute. Robinson popped up on both flanks during the first half and her willingness to run at the opposition defence never wavered during her 63 minutes on the pitch, before she was replaced by James.
Overall, it was a very good afternoon's work for Robinson.
Roebuck returns between the sticks
Ellie Roebuck was England's number one prior to the 2020 Olympics, but unless Mary Earps suffers an injury, she faces an uphill battle to regain the top spot for the World Cup. But the Man City goalkeeper is a determined character and that won't stop her from doing everything she can.
After she made an error for Norway's equaliser in her last international appearance, this was a step in the right direction. Roebuck made an excellent stop as early as the fourth minute when the game was at 0-0, which had Italy scored could have made it a much tougher afternoon for the Lionesses.
But Roebuck got down sharply to deny Valentina Giacinti at her near post when the Roma star was clean through. Despite a good display in general she will have been disappointed to not do better on Cantore's header, although it probably shouldn't have stood anyway.
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