20 February 2023 , 13:58
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Former England forwards Eni Aluko and Ian Wright both agreed that Katie Robinson offered the Lionesses a new dimension in the win over Italy.
The Brighton star stole the show on her first senior international start, tormenting both Italian full-backs during a rampant first half performance. England eventually won 2-1 thanks to a Rachel Daly double, after Italy had levelled through Sofia Cantore, although the ball looked to have ran out of play in the build-up.
Robinson produced an an all-action display, capped with a fine hanging cross which was headed home by Daly for the opener. She was eventually replaced by Lauren James who set up Daly's winner, receiving a big reception from the 30,000 strong crowd in Coventry.
Former England forwards Aluko and Wright were on punditry duty for ITV Sport and both agreed after the win that Robinson gave the England attack something different against the Italians.
"It is amazing to see so many young players coming through," said Aluko during the post-match analysis. "We talked about player pathways and this is evidence of it.
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"We've made our national debuts as young players and it is an amazing feeling. The direct play, running at defenders, which Katie (Robinson) was part of, is really important for them.
Robinson (right) was one of England's standout players"In the World Cup there will be teams that bank up against England, we have that reputation now as European Champions and will go into it as favourites. When teams do that, you need to have different ways of playing, be direct. Katie was a big part of that."
"I agree," added Arsenal legend Wright. "Especially if, as we saw in the first half, teams really compress Keira Walsh and stop her creating. Then we will need different players like Katie Robinson and Jess Park to go and make things happen in the final third. Katie did some really nice things in the first half, particularly in the latter stages of the pitch.
"That is what we will need, as well as the long ball. It worked out pretty well (for England) today."
Competition for places in the England wide areas has only grown following Robinson's impressive debut, with Lauren James also staking her claim with a player of the match display against Italy. The 20-year-old has consistently performed for a struggling Brighton team in the WSL this season and although she was pleased with her first start for the Lionesses, Robinson did pinpoint one area of her game she could improve on.
"I'm really proud," Robinson said. "I was so excited to find out I was starting and loved it out there.
"It was great to assist and help the team as much as possible, I think I probably do need to get more early crosses in (to the box) but when I did Rachel scored, so that was great."
"When you're out there the nerves kind of go away, I was just doing what I love."
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