Two England stars get a 4/10 as Lee Carsley suffers dismal defeat vs Greece | Football | Sport
Lee Carsley suffered the most difficult night of his young England managerial career as Greece struck a late winner to triumph 2-1 at Wembley. Just when the Three Lions thought Jude Bellingham had snatched a draw, Vangelis Pavlidis scored his second goal deep into injury time to leave the FA with a big decision to make over their interim manager’s future.
Greece actually had the ball in England’s net on a staggering five occasions, only for three to be ruled out for offside. Pavlidis eventually struck early in the second half, weaving through the Three Lions’ defence.
But Bellingham seemed to have snatched a point in Nations League Group B2, dramatically thumping home from range. Just as England were counting their lucky stars, though, Pavlidis struck again to inflict Carsley’s first defeat.
Express Sport rates England’s players in a lowly night at Wembley.
Jordan Pickford – 4
This was an unusually nervy performance from England’s goalkeeper. His wild decision to rush out of his goal was saved by Levi Colwill’s remarkable goal-line clearance, before the offside flag saved the Everton man’s blushes moments later. Pickford will need to improve, with several top goalkeepers waiting to take his place.
England struggled to get Alexander-Arnold into the game. Greece pressed England’s midfield well, not allowing any room for the Liverpool star to receive the ball. One excellent cross was nearly headed in by Anthony Gordon, but that was Alexander-Arnold’s best moment.
John Stones – 5
Captaining England for the first time, Stones allowed Vangelis Pavlidis to drift past him in the penalty area to score Greece’s goal. England looked shaky defensively.
Levi Colwill – 6
A stunning clearance right on the goal-line after racing back towards his own goal was Colwill’s chief defensive contribution. The Chelsea centre-back has made a solid claim to start more frequently for England during the September and October international windows.
Rico Lewis – 4
Lewis was lively and was successful in stopping a couple of Greece’s attacks. England lacked width and that was not aided by the Manchester City defender’s tendency to cut back onto his right foot. The 19-year-old was scoring slightly higher until he was culpable for not clearing the ball as Greece struck a late winner.
Declan Rice – 5
England need to find Rice a central midfield partner. Carsley’s starting 11 lacked balance and Rice was often forced to guard against counter-attacks by himself. The 25-year-old was limited in his impact following a yellow card early in the second half.
Phil Foden – 5
It will be a shame if England never get the best out of Foden. But the Three Lions’ No. 10 is now reaching an age where he must influence international matches much more frequently.
Jude Bellingham – 7
Bellingham tried his best to make an impact in an unorthodox deep-lying forward position. Playing high alongside Cole Palmer as auxiliary centre-forwards, the 21-year-old was central to England’s best moments and there were few other players who were going to come up with his thumping equaliser. However, England are yet to figure out how best to use such a prodigious talent.
Cole Palmer – 5
Palmer missed a huge chance to score in the first half, blasting over the bar from close range after Bellingham’s cut back. England’s front four overwhelmed each other and cancelled one another out, leaving little room for their colleagues to shine.
Anthony Gordon – 5
Gordon was bright and keen to take the game to Greece. But he really should have hit the target with a header from Alexander-Arnold’s cross.
Bukayo Saka – 5
There will be concern at Arsenal as Saka hobbled off with an injury soon after Greece scored. It was a difficult game for the Gunners winger, who was isolated out wide.
Substitutes
Noni Madueke (for Saka, ‘51) – 6
Madueke completed a couple of surges into the Greece area as England probed for an equaliser.
Ollie Watkins (for Gordon, ‘60) – 5
Watkins failed to transition his Aston Villa form into England action.
Dominic Solanke (for Foden, ‘72) – 5
Making his first England appearance since 2017, Solanke was unable to have an impact on the game.
