Hege Riise's first match in charge of the Lionesses featured a 6-0 win, Jill Scott's 150th cap, an Ellen White hat-trick, four England debutants and an Ella Toone debut goal.
England displayed a convincing win over Northern Ireland in their first competitive match in almost a year. Riise's style of play and the excitement of players showed a refreshed and promising Lionesses side ahead of the Olympics and a home Euro.
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New style of play
A taste of what to expect from England in the near future under Sarina Wiegman. The Lionesses displayed a fast, direct, creative and an attack-focused match against Northern Ireland.
Simple tweaks by Riise that made a huge difference. A style of a fast-pressing game with the intention to get the ball forward quickly. A characteristic that suits England players, allowing for more creativity and freedom on the pitch.
Though Phil Neville introduced an attacking game when he took over the Lionesses 2018, he never got it right to exploit his player's strengths.
Ellen White particularly enjoyed Riise's inputs, completing her first England hat-trick four minutes into the second half. A striker who is reliant to balls being feed into her has been enjoying her game as of late with seven goals in seven matches in all competitions.
Lucy Bronze assisted White's second of the afternoon enjoying an excellent afternoon herself. With a goal and two assists to her name, the City defender was heavily involved in England's attack down the right wing, connecting brilliantly with Rachel Daly.
A key asset to any team with Bronze in it is to give her the freedom to overlap and move forward on the right side. The formation and instructions handed out by Riise highlighted what happens when player's strengths are catered to.
The last time Bronze scored for England since her spectacular strike against Norway in the 2019 World Cup. Before that a Euro qualifying match against Kazakhstan in 2018.
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A promising future
Both the old and new were celebrated today. Four of six uncapped players on the bench came on to make their senior debuts. Riise made way to the future giving playing time to Ella Toone, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Ebony Salmon and Sandy MacIver.
Manchester United's Millie Turner and Birmingham City's Hannah Hampton are left to keep waiting for their official senior debuts.
Toone netted England's sixth goal from the penalty spot after Scott refused to take it in fear to "spoil the day" should she have missed. The United midfielder was encouraged from players around her to step up and undoubtedly, she cooly and confidently slotted home her first senior international goal.
The vamped attacking play suits players like Toone and Salmon who are enjoying successful FA Women's Super League campaigns. Alongside Leah Williamson and Millie Bright, Wubben-Moy will enjoy distribution from high up the pitch.
Young English talent shows an exciting and promising future with brilliant players featured against Northern Ireland and an array of excluded talent such as Niamh Charles, Esme Morgan, Anna Patten and Jess Park.