Greece 0-3 England PLAYER RATINGS: Who had a very encouraging debut? Which youngster was man of the match? And who was much improved from Wembley defeat?
England secured a crucial 3-0 win over Greece in their Nations League clash on Thursday evening.
Heading into the game, discussion centred around the glut of injury withdrawals that Lee Carsley’s squad had suffered – with nine stars pulling out in total.
However the Three Lions played as though they had a full selection at hand as they breezed past Greece in the tie in Athens.
Ollie Watkins opened the scoring with a neat finish in the first-half before an own-goal and a Curtis Jones flick helped secure all three points for Carsley’s side.
Mail Sport’s CRAIG HOPE was on hand to provide England player ratings.
Jude Bellingham starred in England’s 3-0 win over Greece in the Nations League on Thursday
The win in Athens sees the Three Lions move top of the Nations League Group B
ENGLAND (4-2-3-1)
Jordan Pickford – 7.5
Back in team after Greece horror show last month and responded with strong showing. Two huge saves at 1-0 and played sweeper-keeper role perfectly.
Kyle Walker – 6
Hosts targeted his side in first half and he was better when moved to centre-back after half-time, using pace to get out of tricky spots on a couple of occasions.
Marc Guehi – 6.5
Another steady display and he’s making a habit of that for his country, without the need for anything spectacular.
Ezri Konsa – 6
Did what he had to with minimum fuss before injury forced half-time withdrawal.
Rico Lewis – 6.5
Much improved after bad night versus Greece last month. Good in possession and handled switch from left back to right back with confidence.
Curtis Jones – 7.5
Very encouraging debut. Brave in getting on ball and used it well. Wriggled out of a few tight situations and capped it all with clever, flicked goal.
Jordan Pickford returned after a horror show last month and responded with strong showing
Real Madrid star Bellingham put on his best performance in a long time for England
Conor Gallagher – 6
Walked a tightrope after early booking and did well to put himself about, but quality on the ball remains a little short at times.
Noni Madueke – 8
Picked up where he left off after exciting cameo in Finland and did what wingers should – attacked his full-back at pace, and it created opener. Was a threat throughout. Man of the Match.
Jude Bellingham – 7.5
His best in a long time for England. Wonderful pass to set Madueke away leading to opener. Always involved and had his swagger back, in the right way. Shot forced second goal.
Anthony Gordon – 6.5
Showed early intent with run and cross and England are better for that incision down left, even if final product was lacking on this occasion.
Ollie Watkins – 7
Took goal well and team were more dangerous for his pace and threat in behind, even if he did fluff a great chance when sent clear.
Ollie Watkins took his goal well and England were more dangerous with his pace in behind
Substitutes
Lewis Hall (on for Konsa 46) 7
Harry Kane (on for Watkins 66) 6
Jarrod Bowen (on for Madueke 66) 6
Morgan Rogers (on for Gordon 66) 7
Morgan Gibbs-White (on for Gallagher 79) 6.5
Manager – Lee Carsley 7.5
His front three – with pace and incision – made all the difference and, despite losing so many players this week, he picked the right team and got the result he needed.
Referee – D Siebert (GER) 7
Greece: Vlachodimos 6; Rota 5, Mavropanos 6, Koulierakis 5.5, Tsimikas 4.5 (Pelkas 57); Siopis 6, Zafeiris 6; Masouras 5.5, Bakasetas 5 (Ioannidis 57, 5), Tzolis 5.5; Pavlidis 5 (Giannoulis 57, 5)
