Hayters TV
·14 November 2024
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·14 November 2024
Curtis Jones scored a fantastic goal as England held off a Greek storm to beat Greece 3-0 to go top of their Nations League group.
The Three Lions had to weather various Greek attacks but were clinical with their chances, as goals from Jones, Ollie Watkins and an own goal from Odysseas Vlachodimos sent Lee Carsley’s men on their way back to top spot of Group B2.
Here are five things we learnt from England win’s…
It was a debut to remember for Liverpool’s Curtis Jones as he scored and played a starring role in England’s win over Greece. The 23-year-old was given the vote of confidence from Carsley to start on his and repaid his manager’s faith in style. He complimented the play styles of midfield partners Conor Gallagher and Jude Bellingham, with the trio commanding the middle third of the pitch, and capped it off with a brilliant finish late on.
There should be no doubting of Jordan Pickford’s status as England’s number one. The Everton goalkeeper made five saves including a superb stop to keep his side ahead with the score at 1-0. After a difficult period with his club, and calls for him to make way for one of England’s other goalkeepers, Pickford’s display tonight showed that you should never write him off.
After eight senior players dropped out ahead of the start of this international break, Carsley called upon players from his time as England U21 coach to guide the Three Lions through his last two weeks as interim senior manager. Curtis Jones played a starring role, whilst Lewis Hall, Morgan Gibbs-White and Morgan Rogers all made telling impacts off the bench.
Incoming England manager Thomas Tuchel will already know the quality of the players he will have at his disposable. What the German should be pleased with is how many up and coming young talents he will be able to select if he chooses to. The influx of younger players coming through in this international break and how they performed against Greece will only make competition for places even bigger.
After doubts over where they would finish after losing to Greece at Wembley, England are now firmly in control of Group B2 after their win in Athens. A win against the Republic of Ireland will guarantee a return to the Nations League A league, but if they were to slip up, then they would need Finland to beat Greece to consign them to the promotion playoffs.