You are currently viewing THREE England stars get 9/10 ratings as talkSPORT host declares: ‘I’m a massive Curtis Jones fan’

THREE England stars get 9/10 ratings as talkSPORT host declares: ‘I’m a massive Curtis Jones fan’

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England are back on top in the Nations League, but how did their players fare in a much needed 3-0 win over Greece?

Playing away at a hostile Olympic Stadium in Athens, the Three Lions managed to avenge their October defeat at Wembley in front of the most hostile of crowds.

England saw three debuts and three points against Greece
Getty

Now back on top of their Nations League B group, they can clinch promotion back to the top tier with victory over the Republic of Ireland on Sunday, live on talkSPORT.

Ollie Watkins sent Lee Carsley on his way to victory in his penultimate match as interim manager, but between his opener and Curtis Jones‘ 3-0 goal, Jordan Pickford did have work to do.

However, while it wasn’t vintage, it was very much job done for an England side infused with youth from the U21 coach, who gave a debut to Liverpool star Jones and more minutes other young stars.

That’s enough on Carsley, though, as the big question is how did the players do two games before they meet new manager Thomas Tuchel?

talkSPORT’s Adrian Durham gives his marks out of ten for each of the victorious lions.

Versatility shines through

Jordan Pickford had five saves to make, and unlike his opposite number, he stopped them all. Still, he loses marks for an early yellow card and racks up a 7/10, with Durham commenting: “It was a stupid booking first half but he stayed alert and calm to keep a clean sheet.”

Elsewhere at the back there was a mix of age and youth, both from Manchester City, with 34-year-old Kyle Walker and 19-year-old Rico Lewis flanking the defence.

Walker was “Frustrating at times when he kept going sideways and backwards, but defensive versatility and pace became important second half,” while Lewis “played in different positions, and is becoming an important, versatile player for England.” Both players earned a 6/10.

‘Established first choice’

Ezri Konza again partnered Marc Guehi, and while the Aston Villa man “did okay” for a 6/10, he was outshone by his Crystal Palace counterpart who is “an established first choice player now and very trustworthy” earning him a 7/10 rating.

Guehi is doing the business for England
AFP

Midfield contrast

Conor Gallagher didn’t have the best start to the match, with Durham one of many to call him out for a needless 11th minute yellow card, saying: “It was a stupid booking early on, he hasn’t made himself undroppable and didn’t shine. 4/10”

However, the two other prongs in England’s midfield three both took home 9/10 ratings with Jones scoring, and Jude Bellingham as good as finding the net as his strike bounced off the post and in off Odysseas Vlachodimos’ back for a 2-0 lead.

“A goal on debut, and what a cute finish, he made it look easy at times, I’m a massive Curtis Jones fan, so I’m biased,” Durham said of the Liverpool man, before adding on Bellingham: “He was outstanding all night, he ragged England forward and surged upfield for the second goal.”

‘Unplayable’ down the wings

Anthony Gordan picked up an 8/10 as he staged some “electrifying wing play in the first minute and he caused big trouble when on the ball.”

Bellingham and Jones couldn’t have done much better
Getty

However, on the other side it was Noni Madueke who lit up the Olympic Stadium and Durham’s eyes.

He added: “He was brilliant, unplayable, always wanted the ball and caused havoc, 9/10.”

Madueke set up Watkins for the opener, but in Durham’s eyes, it was more about the assist, giving the striker a 6/10, which he justified by saying: “He scored a goal early on, missed a great chance end of the first half, but quiet apart from that and replaced after 65 minutes.”

‘7/10 debuts’

Along with Jones, Lewis Hall and Morgan Rogers both made their England debuts as substitutes and were rewarded with 7/10 ratings.

Hall “played the whole of second half for his England debut, had work to do and did it well,” while Rogers “was instrumental to the third goal on his debut.”

‘Capable of more’

Of the final three substitutes, Jarrod Bowen was “steady when he came on but capable of more,” for a 5/10 rating, while 6/10 captain Harry Kane was “Dropped without a strop, and was a positive when he came on. That’s the England captain.”

England player ratings vs Greece

Jordan Pickford – 7
Kyle Walker – 6
Marc Guehi – 7
Ezri Konza – 6
Rico Lewis – 6
Conor Gallagher – 4
Curtis Jones – 9
Jude Bellingham – 9
Anthony Gordon – 8
Noni Madueke – 9
Ollie Watkins – 6

SUB: Lewis Hall – 7
SUB: Morgan Rogers – 7
SUB: Harry Kane – 6
SUB: Jarrod Bowen – 5
SUB: Morgan Gibbs-White – N/A

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