England vs Greece LIVE: Nations League result and reaction as hosts concede calamitous late goal | OneFootball

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England suffered their first defeat under Lee Carsley in a thrilling and frustrating encounter with Greece at Wembley. Having named an attacking and experimental line-up Carsley watched on in shock as his team were outclassed on the turf whilst struggling to utilise the talents of Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka in a coherent way.

The Greeks should have led at half-time. They had a goal disallowed after Jordan Pickford made some quickfire errors in an uncharacteristically nervous performance. They did lead just after the break with Vangelis Pavlidis weaving through three defenders to slot a low effort past the goalkeeper.

Two more disallowed goals for Greece tells the story of a shaky English defence that lacked substance. The progression nature of the full backs too often allowing space on the counter and leaving John Stones and Levi Colwill with too much to do. In the dying stages Jude Bellingham smoked in a rocket strike that almost nicked England a point.

The deciding moment though came to Pavlidis. England scrambled in the box once again and knocked the ball to the striker who took his chance and secured a first ever win against the Three Lions for Greece.

England’s failed experiment gives one answer to Lee Carsley - but asks another about him

A failed experiment, which will doubtless lead to the first calls over whether that should be said of Lee Carsley. The interim England manager lost his first senior international in what was just his third game. The 2-1 home defeat to Greece was all the worse since the brilliant Vangelis Pavlidis scored both of their goals to show Carsley the value of a forward on a night when he took the historic step to go without one.

A line that goes from Dixie Dean through Jimmy Greaves and up to Harry Kane was broken, for a false nine that will instead bring talk of a false dawn.

England’s failed experiment gives one answer to Carsley - but asks another of him

England 1-2 Greece: Bellingham scored late on to equalise but the Three Lions went on to concede another

Mike Jones10 October 2024 22:55

England boss Lee Carsley on ITV:

“We were second best for a lot of tonight, it is disappointing. You are going to get set backs and it’s important we respond.

“We tried something different and tried to overload the midfield. We tried it for 20 minutes yesterday, we experimented, and disappointed it didn’t come off. It’s unrealistic to expect too much and we will have to try again. All the goals were from mistakes, which is disappointing.

“It is definitely an option going forward. When you have someone of Kane’s quality though it rules it out when he is available. But in the future you have to have the courage and ability to try things.

“We tried something different. It doesn’t change anything. My remit is to do the three camps.”

Mike Jones10 October 2024 22:41