da brwin： This weekend was relatively successful for the Home Nations, with Scotland the only side to lose.
da realsbet： England managed a comfortable 3-0 victory over Gordon Strachan’s side on Friday night courtesy of goals from Daniel Sturridge, Adam Lallana and Gary Cahill.
Northern Ireland comfortably saw off Group C surprise package Azerbaijan with a 4-0 win to move up to second while the Republic of Ireland claimed a valuable 1-0 win away at Austria to top Group D.
Wales – who are also in Group D – conceded a late equaliser to Serbia but kept in contact with the top thanks to Gareth Bale’s strike.
There were very positive performances from all three of the winners, while a couple of Welsh players also showed they aren’t resting on their laurels after an impressive Euro 2016 campaign in which they reached the semi-finals.
We take our pick of the top performers with the Great Britain and Ireland XI from the weekend’s matches.
GK – MICHAEL MCGOVERN
Michael McGovern looks to be carrying on his fine form from Euro 2016 as he racked up another clean sheet.
The Norwich City keeper made a few fine stops and has cemented himself as a goalkeeper the Northern Ireland defence can be confident of.
Michael O’Neill seems to be building a side based on being solid at the back, and McGovern is an invaluable part of that.
RB – CONOR MCLAUGHLIN
Another member of the Northern Ireland rearguard who excelled himself, Conor McLaughlin had a great game at both ends of the pitch.
The right-back – who plays in League One with Fleetwood Town – provided a number of threatening crosses and his bombing runs forward were rewarded with a goal.
Despite getting into the box, he didn’t neglect his defensive duties either, managing to be both disciplined and dangerous.
CB – CIARAN CLARK
Keeping out an Austria side with the likes of David Alaba and Marko Arnautovic is no mean feat, particularly away from home.
The Republic of Ireland managed to do that and grab a valuable three points that could prove decisive in a tight group.
Ciaran Clark deserves much of the credit, putting in a resilient defensive performance and providing goal-saving blocks from the likes of Arnautovic and striker Marc Janko.
CB – JONNY EVANS
It’s very unusual to see defenders have a hand in so many goals, but that’s exactly what happened for Northern Ireland.
We’re more used to seeing Michael O’Neill’s boys with their backs to the wall upon facing bigger sides, but against Azerbaijan they had more license to join the attack.
Jonny Evans took full advantage of this, building well from the back and providing the flick-on for Kyle Lafferty’s goal.
LB – CHRIS BRUNT
Danny Rose was very unlucky to miss out after a fine all-round performance for England, but Chris Brunt trumped him on his Northern Ireland return.
Brunt – who was playing in the left-back role he filled for West Brom at times last season – had an excellent game despite taking a bang to the head early on.
The 31-year-old was solid in defence but it was his attacking contribution that stood out as he set up Gareth McCauley for the second goal and capped the game with a strike of his own.
CM – JOE LEDLEY
Wales may have missed out on a win but that’s not to say some of Chris Coleman’s men didn’t put in a shift.
Joe Ledley was one such player. Handed a more defensive role than he is accustomed to, the 29-year-old patrolled the Wales area and constantly snuffed out Serbian attacks.
The fact Wales eventually conceded is in no part down to Ledley, who played so well he may well find himself in a similar role for future qualifiers.
CM – STEVEN DAVIS
Steven Davis provided a real driving force as he spurred his side on to grab more goals.
The Southampton man was reliable in his passing, put in an all-action performance and can count himself unlucky not to be listed among the goalscorers.
RM – ADAM LALLANA
England’s standout player once more, Adam Lallana might just be the most important player in the new-look England side.
The 28-year-old led by example with his pressing and looked a constant danger around the box through clever turns and intricate passing, while capping his performance with a fine header.
Rather than being consigned to one spot, Lallana roamed around the pitch in a box-to-box role more akin to how he plays for Liverpool. If he continues to carry his club form over to the international stage, the England side will be all the better for it.
LM – JAMES MCCLEAN
There is something about the relationship between Martin O’Neill and James McClean that really clicks.
McClean’s best form at club level came in his breakthrough season at Sunderland when O’Neill was in charge and he seems to be finding that spark again on the international stage.
The 27-year-old is in and out of the West Brom side at the moment and seems to be one of those players who performs better in international colours. With three goals in his last two games, his countrymen certainly won’t mind.
CAM – AARON RAMSEY
This spot was a straight battle between Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale, but we’ve opted for the Arsenal man.
Bale was again superb and grabbed a great goal which almost proved a match-winner, but it was Ramsey who was pulling all the strings.
The 25-year-old showed some great touches and wonderful vision and didn’t let up when it came to creating chances.
ST – KYLE LAFFERTY
Kyle Lafferty’s performance was everything you’d want from the man up front.
The forward was strong enough to hassle defenders and a constant menace when he found himself in promising positions.
Strikers are ultimately judged on goals and the way Lafferty fired his volley past a helpless Azerbaijan keeper showed a man bang in form.